AP Round 13

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Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
The Stoop
Light rain, 6 Degrees, 13mph Winds

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Quins

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustín Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Luke Romano
5. Pieter Steph Du Toit
6. Manuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Nick Easter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Santiago Cordero
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Luther Burrell
14. Yoann Huget
15. James O'Connor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Jack Clifford 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Colin Slade 23. Damian McKenzie

Tactics

Look to play the percentages in terms of territory using the boot of Myler, Pienaar, Hernandez and O'Connor to get us into the Tigers half. They will especially look to turn Banahan and Sivivatu  around  and target  the lack of kicking game in the Tigers back 3.

When we get in the Tigers half we want to get our pack working hard and carrying us forward running off our half backs and midfield. Using our pack and Burrell we want to get go forward targeting the Leicester 10/12 channel.

When we get quick ball we want to get the ball into the hands of JMH and our outside backs where we can look to isolate Leicester defenders with Cordero,  Huget and JOC on the ball.

At the set  piece we are looking for Brookes to really target Lahiff leaving Healy  and Creevy to attack Franks. We hope to use the set piece to tire a Leicester pack which we feel lack mobility around the park.  At the line out we will give them the front but look to put extreme pressure on the middle and back.  On our ball we will use a shorter line with Hooper and Gorgodze offering carrying in the midfield down the Leicester 10/12 channel.

We will look to get Creevy, Hooper and Gorgodze all over the ball after we've chop tackle and really make the Leicester pack work hard all game and try to tire them out. We will use the chop tackle and a quick linespeed  which will look to defend from out to in targeting hitting Basteraud early.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Drew Mitchell

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. George Skivington 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Francois Trinh-Duc  23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Pape, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Quins territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Quins defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Pape, Smith, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Quins back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalties.

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London Irish v Exeter Chiefs
Madejski Stadium
Light rain, 13 Degrees, 16mph Winds

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London Irish team

15.Delon Armitage
14.Marlande Yarde
13.Jesse Kriel
12.Henry Slade
11.Bryan Habana
10.Aaron Cruden
09.Aaron Smith

1.Scott Sio
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Dave Wilson
4.Matt Symons (C)
5.Ruan Botha
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Marcell Coatzee
8.Duane Vermaulen

16.TPN 17.Moon 18.Marbella 18.Broadhurst 19.Elstadt 20.Homer 21.Gereghty 22.Nanai Williams

In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Saintsdefence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Cruden and Slade to take us up the field.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

Lineout.  In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Symons, Botha and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Sale as scrappy as we can.

Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Sio to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Wilson straight.

Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.

Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We will look to  use Armitage, Habana and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Saints are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. James Horwill	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Maa Nonu
06. Tom Wood	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

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16. Rob Webber 17. Nic Auterac 18. Vincent Koch 19. Kane Douglas 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Brad Shields 22. Chris Cook 23. Toby Flood

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to match them man for man and beat Irish playing our way and the Chiefs way.

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Irish territory and forcing Yarde, Habana and Kriel to turn and chase the ball. Great kicking game from 9 to 15 to help keep us in the right places on the field. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using Lood, Wood & Horwill to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Irish forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Irish ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Irish carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Irish 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Slade & Cruden's channels, smaller dfeenders who can tackle, but they won't stop the carriers on the gain line. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Vermeleun, Wilson & Symons.
  
  
• Bench - We have gone for a 6/2 to split on the bench to maintain the pressure up front, and not let up the intensity through the forwards. We will go through the middle of Iirsh pack and force them to have to get back onside through strong sensible drives. 
  
  
• Build a Score - Evans to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.
  

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Saracens v Gloucester
Allianz Park
Light Rain, 6 Degrees, 13mph Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Hosea Gear
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Temani Harrison 21. Morgan Parra 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

TARGET LACK OF CARRYING IN GLOUCESTER PACK - Look to apply pressure in defence and lack of carriers in the Gloucester pack. You need to earn the right to go wide in rugby and we think if we turn the screw in defence we can force Gloucester to waste possession. We'll look to keep the defensive line tight we think they'll struggle to break us down.

FAST PACE, HIGH TEMPO, OFFLOADS - Look to keep the tempo up at home and keep the ball alive. SBW the main driver behind this, we'll look to feed runners off him.

TARGET LINEOUT - Whitelock to read and take apart opposition line out as he does so well at Int level.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with no genuine option past Salvi.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with no genuine option past Salvi.

TEAM FORM AND HOME ADVANTAGE - We're in great form and have built a fortress at home. Gloucester have been a bit off colour of late so we'll look to take advantage.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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1 beast
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Dickinson
9 Perenara
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 folau
16 Wood
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Matera
20 Alberts
21 Robson
22 Cipriani
23 Matebula

Target Saracens front 5

To win away you need to have parity at least. We have a front 5 with players who excelled at the World Cup and who are In form.

Hibbard, JDP having issues and Tuipolutu has not played in 9 months. We see that our front 5 will set the tone and give us the go forward and physicality to take this.
Lavanini and etzbeth were 2 of the best locks in the we and will look to dominate. We will look to pressure the setpiece with our front 5 aand exploit Saracens lack of line out after Whitelock. We have Croft and Lavanini and etzbeth who are all top class line out operators at a world level. They will pressure  Hibbard.
You need to earn the right to go wide in rugby  and our front 5 will allow us to get our sparkling runners and backline options in to the game.

FAST PACE, HIGH TEMPO, OFFLOADS - Look to keep the tempo up and target the lack of mobility in their front 5. Look to isolate slower  forwards keep the ball alive. Look to target sbw Sanchez link with SBW not playing 15s and Sanchez a wonderful 10 but not the smartest defender.

TARGET LINEOUT - croft Lavanini and etzbeth to pressure Hibbard and reliance on Whitelock. Strauss one of best throwers in world rugby and we will look to mix drive and off to top on own ball

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN LIGHT RAIN CONDITIONS - beast Strauss etzbeth Lavanini Dickinson to carry hard and straight. Croft to offer that wider option and look to link outside backs

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Strauss Salvi etzbeth Lavanini Dickinson. Send numbers In and with more mobile front 5 look to smash and disrupt and drive past ball.
Target Dickson at 9. Sanchez needs fast ball and we will look to get at Dickson and scrag him in


KICKING OPTIONS- look to play in right areas to get into game. Carter and Toomua offers the options to win territory battle vs Sanchez. Look to build in to game and play high tempo offloading in right area.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. As our front 5 gets on top it gives us the platform to launch attacks from a solid base and leaves them attaching of a retreating pressured platform.

Scrum - w class front 5 unit and with form.We will use this as a weapon

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on Dicksons  basics and form
And force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Outside half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners off his shoulder and 9s to keep guessing. As game progresses we will look to open up and bring our exciting backline in to play. Kurindrani will look to give smith a torrid time like he has before and we will look to mix up first receiver with carter Toomua folau all able to step in on turnover ball to increase pace of attack.

Will attempt up and unders and cross kicks where necessary with folau and to chase

Carter is worlds best and is there to be our attack leader. He is a world class attacker and defender and calls the shots.

Bench - we have a bench packed with great options to up carrying like Alberts Matera and co. Also have Cips Robson and talebula to add pace and daring to take game away. Our bench has more experience, dynamism and recognised talent

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Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks
Sixways
Light rain, 12 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Cory Allen
06. Mike Williams	13. Vereniki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia  23. Matthew Tait

Tactics
We  have great form coming into this game having only lost 1 game in 2016 and we are confident to take the game to Sale.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's, we have filled our pack with carriers most who are used to the conditions this weekend. We have brought in Williams for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Sale ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Williams/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Williams has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Morgan if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious. Smith willl look to play hard against Kvesic to negate his game. Williams will rush on 10 as we appreciate Sale are dangerous out wide.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Allen's shoulders for the pop ball. Goneva is another strong carrying option and in this weather it is crucial to play for territory when the wind is with us.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers and will use their differences to target any gaps in the  Sale defence. Goneva will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Tait/Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for 3 different styles of play in the back 3 to ensure that we can keep Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Taufua there as a carrying option. Tait will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking. Leuia will relish the chance against tired defences.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willlie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Marty Moore 19. Maro Itoje 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Kicking: Using the boots of Foley, Zebo & Le Roux look to test the Worc back three positionally and aerially. We want to take advantage of the space left by Naholo and Millner Skudder and build good field position.

Attack: Light rain doesn't prevent us playing with the ball when in the right areas and we will be playing an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to keep the ball moving. 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. De Klerk to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence led by Fekitoa. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Foley will defend deep with Le Roux to cover the backfield and win any kicking duels while Nadolo comes into the defensive line. De Klerk will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

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 especially for Fekitoa and Nadolo.

Lineout: Four mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space particularly Fekitoa and Nadolo. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Bath v Wasps
The Rec
Light rain, 11 Degrees, 20mph Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Francois Louw	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

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16. Richard Barrington 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Gill 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Cheslin Koble

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rene Ranger
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Scott Spurling , 18. Tom West 19. Sam Twomey  , 20 Sekou Macalau , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Tyler Morgan

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Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
Kingston Park
Cloudy, 10 Degrees, 16mph Winds

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Callum Clark	13. Luke Marshall
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. David Ewers 21. Dave Lewis 22. Scott Williams  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, compete hard for the ball at the ruck to counter Pocock and Burger, and challenge their centres

Set piece - Look to really put Mulipola's technique under maximum pressure with Kubs/Faumuina, and even more so once Jones comes on. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Clark, Read, Henry and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Clark and Henry to work as a pair in countering Pocock, run the ball at him to prevent him going for turnovers

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man

Attack - Webb to get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and use the familiarity with the midfield to get McCloskey/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Giteau defensively with McCloskey running hard lines at his channel with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Giteau to put them on the back foot off first phase

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

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

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Logi Mulipola
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Michael Paterson
5. Samu Manoa
6. Faconda Isa
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Schalk Burger
9. Joe Simpson
10. Matt Giteau (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Adam Jones 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Falcons on the backfoot and then unleashing our backs. We will look for Burger, Isa and Pocock to dominate the breakdown and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Falcons at pace, mixing up our options with Fofana and Daly, whilst bringing in AAC and Savea to cause defensive issues. Conditions will allow us to attack and will look to get advantage going into final 20mins with impact from the bench.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We've gone for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit and will look to assert some pressure on Falcons here. Have picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Falcons defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the Manoa, Burger, Mulipola to create space for our backs in later phases. We've brought Isa into the pack to give us another tough ball carrier and will bring Savea, Fofana and AAC as more running options in the backline.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we can dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack, slow down Falcons ball or secure penalties. We want to look at securing penalties around 60m out with Daly's long distance kicking. We've got a mobile pack who can support our flankers and we are placing real emphasis here.  

Attack
We will look to work through the phases with our pack, suck in Falcons defenders with our big ball carriers and start to create space outwide for the likes of Giteau, Fofana and Daly to exploit. We want to send big runners at Falcons and tire down their defence and make the most of our mobile pack and dangerous back three.

Kicking
We've selecting different kicking options at no9, no10 and no13 to give us different outlets in defence and attack - with Falcons back three we have to ensure strong kick chase and finding touch.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. All about physicality and aggression to put pressure on Falcons halfbacks and will look to make the breakdown and rucks a really messy area for Falcons.

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Logi Mulipola
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Michael Paterson
5. Samu Manoa
6. Faconda Isa
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Schalk Burger
9. Joe Simpson
10. Matt Giteau (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Adam Jones 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Falcons on the backfoot and then unleashing our backs. We will look for Burger, Isa and Pocock to dominate the breakdown and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Falcons at pace, mixing up our options with Fofana and Daly, whilst bringing in AAC and Savea to cause defensive issues. Conditions will allow us to attack and will look to get advantage going into final 20mins with impact from the bench.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We've gone for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit and will look to assert some pressure on Falcons here. Have picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Falcons defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the Manoa, Burger, Mulipola to create space for our backs in later phases. We've brought Isa into the pack to give us another tough ball carrier and will bring Savea, Fofana and AAC as more running options in the backline.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we can dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack, slow down Falcons ball or secure penalties. We want to look at securing penalties around 60m out with Daly's long distance kicking. We've got a mobile pack who can support our flankers and we are placing real emphasis here.  

Attack
We will look to work through the phases with our pack, suck in Falcons defenders with our big ball carriers and start to create space outwide for the likes of Giteau, Fofana and Daly to exploit. We want to send big runners at Falcons and tire down their defence and make the most of our mobile pack and dangerous back three.

Kicking
We've selecting different kicking options at no9, no10 and no13 to give us different outlets in defence and attack - with Falcons back three we have to ensure strong kick chase and finding touch.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. All about physicality and aggression to put pressure on Falcons halfbacks and will look to make the breakdown and rucks a really messy area for Falcons.

Conditions are correct lads

Can't believe you got Falcons home stadium wrong

Haha...cut and past from last weeks Sale game

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Cory Allen
06. Mike Williams	13. Vereniki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia  23. Matthew Tait

Tactics
We have great form coming into this game having only lost 1 game in 2016 and we are confident to take the game to Sale.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's, we have filled our pack with carriers most who are used to the conditions this weekend. We have brought in Williams for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Sale ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Williams/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Williams has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Morgan if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious. Smith willl look to play hard against Kvesic to negate his game. Williams will rush on 10 as we appreciate Sale are dangerous out wide.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Allen's shoulders for the pop ball. Goneva is another strong carrying option and in this weather it is crucial to play for territory when the wind is with us.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers and will use their differences to target any gaps in the Sale defence. Goneva will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Tait/Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for 3 different styles of play in the back 3 to ensure that we can keep Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Taufua there as a carrying option. Tait will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking. Leuia will relish the chance against tired defences.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

Not sure how NMS ends up on top each time!!

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Cory Allen
06. Mike Williams	13. Vereniki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia  23. Matthew Tait

Fixed for you prop, quote that and take out the quote brackets saying [/quote] at the beginning and the end

Cheers fella!

Quins ( in Barcelona so won't be doing tactics till early Friday

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustín Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Luke Romano
5. Pieter Steph Du Toit
6. Manuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Nick Easter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Santiago Cordero
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Luther Burrell
14. Yoann Huget
15. James O'Connor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Jack Clifford 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Colin Slade 23. Damian McKenzie

Tactics

Look to play the percentages in terms of territory using the boot of Myler, Pienaar, Hernandez and O'Connor to get us into the Tigers half. They will especially look to turn Banahan and Sivivatu around and target the lack of kicking game in the Tigers back 3.

When we get in the Tigers half we want to get our pack working hard and carrying us forward running off our half backs and midfield. Using our pack and Burrell we want to get go forward targeting the Leicester 10/12 channel.

When we get quick ball we want to get the ball into the hands of JMH and our outside backs where we can look to isolate Leicester defenders with Cordero, Huget and JOC on the ball.

At the set piece we are looking for Brookes to really target Lahiff leaving Healy and Creevy to attack Franks. We hope to use the set piece to tire a Leicester pack which we feel lack mobility around the park. At the line out we will give them the front but look to put extreme pressure on the middle and back. On our ball we will use a shorter line with Hooper and Gorgodze offering carrying in the midfield down the Leicester 10/12 channel.

We will look to get Creevy, Hooper and Gorgodze all over the ball after we've chop tackle and really make the Leicester pack work hard all game and try to tire them out. We will use the chop tackle and a quick linespeed which will look to defend from out to in targeting hitting Basteraud early.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Francois Louw	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Gill 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Cheslin Koble

Look for big carries
Use our boots to get on top territorially
Pressure Hodgson to make big plays by getting up quickly

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Callum Clark	13. Luke Marshall
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. David Ewers 21. Dave Lewis 22. Scott Williams  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, compete hard for the ball at the ruck to counter Pocock and Burger, and challenge their centres

Set piece - Look to really put Mulipola's technique under maximum pressure with Kubs/Faumuina, and even more so once Jones comes on. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Clark, Read, Henry and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Clark and Henry to work as a pair in countering Pocock, run the ball at him to prevent him going for turnovers

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man

Attack - Webb to get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and use the familiarity with the midfield to get McCloskey/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Giteau defensively with McCloskey running hard lines at his channel with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Giteau to put them on the back foot off first phase

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

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

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Hosea Gear
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Temani Harrison 21. Morgan Parra 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

TARGET LACK OF CARRYING IN GLOUCESTER PACK - Look to apply pressure in defence and lack of carriers in the Gloucester pack. You need to earn the right to go wide in rugby and we think if we turn the screw in defence we can force Gloucester to waste possession. We'll look to keep the defensive line tight we think they'll struggle to break us down.

FAST PACE, HIGH TEMPO, OFFLOADS - Look to keep the tempo up at home and keep the ball alive. SBW the main driver behind this, we'll look to feed runners off him.

TARGET LINEOUT - Whitelock to read and take apart opposition line out as he does so well at Int level.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with no genuine option past Salvi.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with no genuine option past Salvi.

TEAM FORM AND HOME ADVANTAGE - We're in great form and have built a fortress at home. Gloucester have been a bit off colour of late so we'll look to take advantage.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. James Horwill	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Maa Nonu
06. Tom Wood	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Rob Webber 17. Nic Auterac 18. Vincent Koch 19. Kane Douglas 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Brad Shields 22. Chris Cook 23. Toby Flood

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to match them man for man and beat Irish playing our way and the Chiefs way.

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Irish territory and forcing Yarde, Habana and Kriel to turn and chase the ball. Great kicking game from 9 to 15 to help keep us in the right places on the field. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using Lood, Wood & Horwill to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Irish forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Irish ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Irish carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Irish 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Slade & Cruden's channels, smaller dfeenders who can tackle, but they won't stop the carriers on the gain line. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Vermeleun, Wilson & Symons.
  
  
• Bench - We have gone for a 6/2 to split on the bench to maintain the pressure up front, and not let up the intensity through the forwards. We will go through the middle of Iirsh pack and force them to have to get back onside through strong sensible drives. 
  
  
• Build a Score - Evans to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.
  

Still awaiting the Irish team, for a change

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rene Ranger
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Scott Spurling , 18. Tom West 19. Sam Twomey  , 20 Sekou Macalau , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Tyler Morgan

1 beast
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Dickinson
9 Perenara
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 folau
16 Wood
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Matera
20 Alberts
21 Robson
22 Cipriani
23 Matebula

Target Saracens front 5

To win away you need to have parity at least. We have a front 5 with players who excelled at the World Cup and who are In form.

Hibbard, JDP having issues and Tuipolutu has not played in 9 months. We see that our front 5 will set the tone and give us the go forward and physicality to take this.
Lavanini and etzbeth were 2 of the best locks in the we and will look to dominate. We will look to pressure the setpiece with our front 5 aand exploit Saracens lack of line out after Whitelock. We have Croft and Lavanini and etzbeth who are all top class line out operators at a world level. They will pressure  Hibbard.
You need to earn the right to go wide in rugby  and our front 5 will allow us to get our sparkling runners and backline options in to the game.

FAST PACE, HIGH TEMPO, OFFLOADS - Look to keep the tempo up and target the lack of mobility in their front 5. Look to isolate slower  forwards keep the ball alive. Look to target sbw Sanchez link with SBW not playing 15s and Sanchez a wonderful 10 but not the smartest defender.

TARGET LINEOUT - croft Lavanini and etzbeth to pressure Hibbard and reliance on Whitelock. Strauss one of best throwers in world rugby and we will look to mix drive and off to top on own ball

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN LIGHT RAIN CONDITIONS - beast Strauss etzbeth Lavanini Dickinson to carry hard and straight. Croft to offer that wider option and look to link outside backs

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Strauss Salvi etzbeth Lavanini Dickinson. Send numbers In and with more mobile front 5 look to smash and disrupt and drive past ball.
Target Dickson at 9. Sanchez needs fast ball and we will look to get at Dickson and scrag him in


KICKING OPTIONS- look to play in right areas to get into game. Carter and Toomua offers the options to win territory battle vs Sanchez. Look to build in to game and play high tempo offloading in right area.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. As our front 5 gets on top it gives us the platform to launch attacks from a solid base and leaves them attaching of a retreating pressured platform.

Scrum - w class front 5 unit and with form.We will use this as a weapon

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on Dicksons  basics and form
And force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Outside half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners off his shoulder and 9s to keep guessing. As game progresses we will look to open up and bring our exciting backline in to play. Kurindrani will look to give smith a torrid time like he has before and we will look to mix up first receiver with carter Toomua folau all able to step in on turnover ball to increase pace of attack.

Will attempt up and unders and cross kicks where necessary with folau and to chase

Carter is worlds best and is there to be our attack leader. He is a world class attacker and defender and calls the shots.

Bench - we have a bench packed with great options to up carrying like Alberts Matera and co. Also have Cips Robson and talebula to add pace and daring to take game away. Our bench has more experience, dynamism and recognised talent

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Drew Mitchell

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. George Skivington 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Francois Trinh-Duc  23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Pape, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Quins territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Quins defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Pape, Smith, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Quins back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalties.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willlie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Marty Moore 19. Maro Itoje 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Sorry lads.

I totally missed the thread this week.

If it's okay with SJE it would just of been the same side as last week.

Probably only going to have time for basic tactics in time tonight. Expecting another loss :/

Tactics done luke. Managed to get then done in the airport

I'll go basic as well then maye

I'm very drunk now

PREDO'S OPEN

Quite a few tactics missing and no Irish team. Will try and get on later but can't promise anything.

London Irish team

15.Delon Armitage
14.Marlande Yarde
13.Jesse Kriel
12.Henry Slade
11.Bryan Habana
10.Aaron Cruden
09.Aaron Smith

1.Scott Sio
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Dave Wilson
4.Matt Symons (C)
5.Ruan Botha
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Marcell Coatzee
8.Duane Vermaulen

16.TPN 17.Moon 18.Marbella 18.Broadhurst 19.Elstadt 20.Homer 21.Gereghty 22.Nanai Williams

In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Saintsdefence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Cruden and Slade to take us up the field.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

Lineout.  In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Symons, Botha and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Sale as scrappy as we can.

Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Sio to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Wilson straight.

Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.

Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We will look to  use Armitage, Habana and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Saints are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

My tactics and Irish added to the page

My tactics added if anyone is able to add them to the page

RESULTS:

Harlequins 28-22 Leicester Tigers
(T:3 C:2 P;3) (T:1 C:1 P:5)

London Irish 25-22 Exeter Chiefs
(T:2 P:5) (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Saracens 27-24 Gloucester
(T:3 C:3 P:2) (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Worcester 22-25 Sale Sharks
(T:1 C:1 P:5)(T:2 P:5)

Bath 29-22 Wasps
(T:3 C:1 P:4) (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Newcastle Falcons 25-26 Northampton Saints
(T:2 P:5) (T:2 C:2 P:4)


Full:

Matt, Steve, Prop, Bam, Chris, Pooly

Scores:

CJB, Driver, CJ

None:

SJE, Flux, Luke

Harlequins 24 - 21 Leicester

Lahiff the weakest link in the front 5s, rest pretty even. Hooper the class at the breakdown, think his extra pace will help him nick a couple and give Quins the edge. Halfbacks even, but prefer the Quins outside backs, with Burrell coming back into a bit of form. Benches just about favour Quins, and at home they'll take this

Quins 24-21 Tigers
Front 5 go to Quins here with a solid pack available, the backrow balance is great from both, feel that Hooper could just edge out Lobbe at the breakdown. Half back battle is taken again by Quins and the centre battle is closer with both having options to stand in at first receiver. Back 3 dangerous from both but think Quins will get better ball. Tigers will get back into it with a strong bench. Tigers tactics rely on their carriers with Quins looking for their carriers.Good win for Quins.

Harlequins 23 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Quins will win the kicking battle and territory, so big lumps in the Tigers team but they'll be playing from a long way out and can just see Quins making the most of that. Both teams making good use of the conditions and not playing overly ambitious rugby, Quins will be secure at the set piece, but just prefer their kicking options and a lack of that in the Tigers back three.

Harlequins v Leicester Tigers 27-21 huge difference in packs. Leicester all old and not mobile. Pape a spent force and not up to level. Slight bit of rain makes no difference as its not heavy. In Heavy conditions Leicester pack compete but today blown away even with Healy out of form. Mismatch upfront sees easy win.


Harlequins 22-22 Leicester

Great TH/HK contest but both LH's not the strongest and can be got at. Good lock combo's on paper but again both are lacking for form and this evens things up with Tigers getting a line out advantage. Very little in the backrows, two good units but not a great deal of breakdown presence for either side. Little in the halfbacks but I prefer Tigers centres with Quins having the much better back 3. Tigers with the slightly better side but not sure they have enough for the win, especially with Burns running the show.

London Irish 20 - 20 Exeter

Exeter have the pack to take Irish on up front, with Wilson lacking form, I think the teams are well matched in the front 5. Irish's back row is strong as ever though, and will have the advantage at the breakdown, with Bismarck a big factor. Irish can be attacked at 10-12, with both lacking form, and Chiefs have the midfield to do so. Think Irish are stronger in the back 3, but Exeter stronger on the bench, and think they can get a draw

Irish 26-25 Chiefs
Good, solid set piece battle on show here, Chiefs may get a small edge come the lineout. Feel Chiefs are set up better in the back row for the conditions but you can't look past the quality of the Irish set up here. One a piece at half back and losing Evans will be a killer now. Bit more currently for the Irish centre partnership and out wide think Irish could get better gains. Solid benches from both. Irish wanting the quick game but think Chiefs have enough to drag them down a bit although they are also looking for a quick game. For the set ups I think that Irish could get more joy at high intensity.

London Irish 19 - 19 Exeter Chiefs
Looks like Irish have put in same tactics as last week? Not sure this takes into account the conditions and can see a lot of unforced handling errors as a result. Can see Evans punishing the mistakes, like the Chiefs midfield, but if Irish had gone with different tactics I'd have given them the win as it is a strong team, but Chiefs looking to play very smartly and will grab a draw here.

London Irish 21 - 20 Exeter

Irish 1 to 15 have the stronger side but they aren't set up for this game which hurts them tactically. I don't think the Exeter front row is in good form which is a theme which runs through the Exeter pack. Comparatively the packs favour Irish in the front and back row and Exeter in the 2nd row. Half backs for me are even with the centres at one a piece. Back three to Irish. Exeter set up better for the game but they don't quite have the quality from 1 to 23 to get the away win.

Irish 19 Exeter 18

Very even up front with Irish backdown shading the battle. In backs Irish have more class with Sam James not up to this level in Exeter back line.
Kriel and co will rip him up.

Cruden losing rating by week but class of smith with the Irish back row controls the game for a home win

Irish 26-22 Exeter

Some form issues in both sets of props but Irish with less of an issue and can get on top in the scrum. I prefer the Exeter engine room and they'll get back in the line out but Irish have a much stronger in the backrow, especially with Wood's poor form. One a piece in the halfbacks, Cruden really needs some form with a year out but Evans has been a touch hit and miss. Not too much in the centres, don't think James is at this level yet and Irish better man for man in the back 3.

Saracens 25 - 23 Gloucester

Always interesting reading the tactics when these two go at it! Front 5s pretty even overall, slight scrum edge to Glos but Sarries even it up at the lineout. Prefer Saracens breakdown options, think Glos a bit lacking till Matera gets on. Glos stronger at halfbacks, centres very even on paper, but think Glos have the advantage with Toomua in the conditions, but this is evened up with Lambie in the back 3, with May lacking form think Sarries stronger there. Both benches solid, think Sarries target the right areas and just have enough for the win

Sarries 27-23 Glos
At present I will give the front 5 to Sarries with better form, Hibbard doing well at Glos and think being dropped from Wales has worked well for him. Solid backrow battle but again Sarries bring the more impressive form to the game. Half backs brought closer but think Glos could be on the back foot a bit. Centre battle brought closer with SB in 7s but performing well. Maybe slightly more for Glos in back 3 but don't think they will get great ball. Nothing between the benches. Sarries have the carriers for their tactics and target the breakdown twice apparently!! Glos' tactics initially seem to be targetting Sarries players before saying how they will play, looking for simple gameplan but think Sarries have more here.

Saracens 28 - 30 Gloucester
Both teams going on the offensive. Like both starting XV's. Hughes will get a lot of go forward for Sarries in comparison to Dickinson, but the rest of the Gloucester pack has more carrying options and that balances it out. Gloucester have more control in 9, 10, 12 shirts. Pooly v unlucky with long-term injuries Tuipultou, Benjamin haven't played in a while and SBW isn't playing union this year. Carter and Toomua combination is decisive and some strong forwards to make an impact off the bench.

Saracens 22 - 22 Gloucester

Not a whole lot between the teams on paper and it's difficult to separate the forwards or the backs. Bit of a step up for the Gloucester bench which makes quite the difference in the last 20 I think. Both sets of wings lack defensively and on the back foot and I think that Gloucester's kicking game from 10 and 12 will cause more problems for the Saracens wings. Can't call the game and have to sit on the fence.

Worcester 19 - 22 Sale

Sale's front 5 + Picamoles are massive, and ideal for wet weather, will really challenge a grizzled Wuss pack. The flankers will add plenty to the grunt work, but think as a pair they can get on top of Smith at the breakdown. Missing the Wales pair, Wuss weaker at halfback, but the outside backs are closer. Benches just favour Sale, and I think Sale can sneak an away win

Worcester Warriors 27 - 25 Sale Sharks
Should be another open game, just see with Worcester that if you go and play a quick tempo, offloading style they can match that with great attacking options and the backline Warriors put out will get tries against any team. Probably game of the round when you look at both backlines. George Smith's influence will be a big factor in the game and help Prop to carry on their winning ways.

Worcester 24 - 24 Sale

A big pack for Worcester which is important as they will get that advantage in the collision in the the slippery conditions. Can't seperate the breakdown but expect a narrow advantage for Sale at scrum time with nothing to call at the lineout. Both half backs could be stronger though the conditions suit Worcester more. Prefer the Worcester centres on the front foot with Allen really causing Foley and Eastmond a lot of trouble defensively. Worcester's back three does look a little weak in terms of its kicking game but I'm not entirely convinced Sale have the kickers to properly exploit this. Overall I can't separate the sides.

Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks 21-21 a struggle of a game with sale much better on paper but with massive issues form wise. Ayerza been awful for Leicester and most front 5 for sale not been great. Big names of sale win it as class comes through in key positions. However marmion and foley is a weak half back combo at any level and creates huge defensive holes that Worcester exploit.

Worcester 20-25 Sale

Sale have a really strong 6N pack and they'll be tough to beat during the competition. In this case only really George makes a dent of the opposition control. Little in the 9's but Foley brings more at 10 and with a good foundation will pull the strings. Some good match ups in the back 3 but overall Sale have too much for a strong win.

Bath 26 - 22 Wasps

Bath look stronger at every level in the pack, and with Barrett/Lealifano they have the class to direct them round and get into the right areas. Outside backs a lot closer and Wasps will score tries off the ball they get, but just don't think they'll win enough at the breakdown to seriously contest this.

Bath 28-23 Wasps
Solid front rows for both, maybe a slight edge for Bath and the same in the 2nd row. Back row battle feel Louw could dominate here and this is where tactics could have helped Wasps to say how they will negate it. Half back battle closer and Wasps good in the centres but not enough against a solid Bath partnership. Out wide can see Wasps holding their own and their half backs on the bench could have made a difference if starting. Wasps' bench will bring them back into it but Bath will be too far ahead by then.

Bath 24 - 21 Wasps
Strong home team, will have a little too much for Wasps.

Bath 25 - 23 Wasps

No tactics so entirely on 23's. Bath look stronger up front with nothing between the backs. At home they win.

Bath v Wasps 22-21 bath squeak it in key battles. Leilifano a massive weakeness currently and like many of us a big start to super 15 will help. Patchell at fb a concern but home advantage wins.

Bath 32-24 Wasps

Another tough outing for Wasps against a good Bath outfit. They won't be a huge amount in the set piece but Bath's physicality and presence at the breakdown will be hard to control. Past the pack Barrett will work wonders with good ball and I can't see anything but a Bath win.

Falcons 24-24 Saints
More for Saints in front row, Falcons take the 2nd row to make it even. An incredibly close back row battle with 2 fantastic set ups here, nothing between them. Half back battle sees 1 a piece with Webb only just back and now concussed and Giteau and Simpson both out but Simpson only recently after a good run of form. Nothing between the centres and a cracking set up for the back 3. Good impact benches on show. Falcons say how they can target Pocock well and strong gameplan. Saints Using strong runners and, like Falcons, looking for territory. Great match, sitting on the fence here.




Newcastle 23 - 24 Northampton

Saints are really strong here and provide Newcastle with a huge test. They have strong units which I don't think Newcastle possess quite so much. Up front their isn't too much in the set piece but there is a considerable advantage to Saints at the breakdown where they can really get on top. Webb and Giteau the pick of the half backs but I think there is a little more quality for Saints after that despite some excellent form for some of Newcastle's outside backs.

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints 21-29

Even in many places but backlines and centres in particular mis match. With same possession saints win.
With saints winning more possession they win easier.



Newcastle 27-22 Saints

I can see a hard day at the office in the set piece for Saints with Falcons looking strong and not much presence past Herrera for Saints. Saints will do well with Pocock at 7 but Falcons have a physical edge to attack him at the rucks so things won't go all his way. One a piece in the centres and similar in the centres. Falcons a step up in the back 3 with only Savea better than his opposite number. Good contest but Falcons set piece control and attacking threat could be key.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints 21-29

Even in many places but backlines and centres in particular mis match. With same possession saints win.
With saints winning more possession they win easier.

Can you post the score only predictions as well please Pooly? If they're close, this is the second time I've lost a game in the last few weeks when there's been one massive margin when all others are within 1 or 2 points either way

BamBam wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints 21-29

Even in many places but backlines and centres in particular mis match. With same possession saints win.
With saints winning more possession they win easier.

Can you post the score only predictions as well please Pooly? If they're close, this is the second time I've lost a game in the last few weeks when there's been one massive margin when all others are within 1 or 2 points either way

Score only Predos have to be by 1 point bam. So would not be any large margins.I think that's the rules.

Matt's right, they're only by one point and if people do more I just round the lower score up to the higher one.

You're game looks closer than what it was Bam, you just scraped over .5 to round up and Chris just under to round down to make it seem closer.

Good game Matt

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Good game Matt

Close I am the king of the bonus point loss this season !

To play falcons

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Matera
7 Salvi
8 Dickinson
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Alberts
20 Croft
21 Genia
22 Cipriani
23 Talebula
23

Wrong page Matt