Summer Tournament - Quarter Finals

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Newcastle Falcons vs Wasps
Elland Road
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 13mph North Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read	15. Rob Miller

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Lood De Jager 20. David Ewers 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. David Strettle

Attributes
Attack - Counter attack, phase attack
Defence - Slow up ball, blitz defence

Thoughts on

How my pack fits with slowing up ball in defence and rumbling through phases in attack
Centre combo, and how it works with leading a blitz defence
Counter attacking ability of back 3 - go with counter attack or kick chase as an attribute?
How well Webb/Farrell do as a pairing for running a phase attack

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Wasps

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Alun Wyn Jones	11. Anthony Watson
05. Sebastian Vahaamahina	12. Henry Slade
06. Tom Wood	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Jerome Kaino	14. Marland Yarde
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

_
16.Harry Thacker 17. Ben Moon 18.Davey Wilson 19. James Broadhurst 20.Dom Barrow 21. Mitchell Drummond 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

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Harlequins vs Sale Sharks
Wembley
Sunny Intervals, 24 Degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

|
16. Rob Webber 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Bundee Aki 23. James O'Connor

Attributes

Attack 

Counter Attack -  Feel this will link well with our defensive attributes. Teams will be frustrated by not breaking gain line and will kick to our back three who we feel are very threatening with ball in hand. 

Phase Attack - Feel that with creativity in the back line that if we can keep possession we should be able break sides down using different options as first phase runners. 

Defence 

Chop Tackle - Stopping go forward is key so feel that hitting low and using Kriel, Hooper, Creevy and others (Armitage off bench)to get over the ball and link with our other defensive attribute. 

Breakdown (turnover/ penalty) - Use the pace of Kriel and Hooper as our flankers to really disrupt the possession. Chosen with chop tackle so we can use the pace of our flankers to be first their. Also chop tackle means that opposition come into the ruck in a more static fashion.


Strengths /Weaknesses of side and bench. 

How are Dillane and Barrington rated? Kriel/Hooper combo?

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sean McMahon	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Ruan Combrinck

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Nick Abendanon

ATTACK:
Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

DEFENCE:
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.


Do the attributes suit the team?
- For attack looking to use strong carriers to create a fluid phase attack. Play makers always available in the backs to take the ball on. Offloading to stop the defence setting.
- For defence big physical tacklers throughout the side so want an emphasis on using the blitz to win collisions . Slowing up the ball to set the blitz again and force opposition to use static carriers. Also allow time to cover for Eastmond when hes playing

Could I have feedback on the following also please?
-Backrow balance
-Malcolm Marx
-Combrink (as a FB & WG)

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Northampton Saints vs Chiefs
The London Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 24 Degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Ramiro Herrara
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Conor Murray
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Manual Montero
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Facunda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

TEAM ATTRIBUTES:
Defence: Blitz Defence and Breakdown - turnover possession.
Attack: First Phase Attack/Strike Moves and Breakdown clearing.

- wear down opposition with big ball carriers in pack and backline
- up tempo in second half with lot of speed

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Chiefs

01. Kane Hames	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Nathan Harris	10. Aaron Cruden (cc)
03. Atu Moli
04. Dominic Bird	11. James Lowe
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Anton Lienert-Brown
06. Taleni Seu	13. Seta Tamanivalu
07. Sam Cane	14. Sam McNicol
08. Tom Sanders	15. Damian McKenzie

/
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Lachlan Boshier, 20 Michael Leitch , 21 Brad Weber, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson

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Saracens vs Hurricanes
Wembley
Sunny Intervals, 24 Degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Telusa Veainu
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Do these attributes work for my side?

Defensive:

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Thinking I have plenty of options in Cole, Guirado, Whitelock, Haskell, Hardie and Hughes so this will suit?

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

Excellent kicking halfbacks in Parra & Sanchez and Hogg to step in as 2nd receiver? Look to use the offloads when on with good options in Hughes, Whitelock, SBW, Hogg etc?

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Hurricanes

01. Loni Uhila	09. TJ Perenara (c)
02. Ricky Riccitelli	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben May
04. Vaea Fifita	11. Jason Woodward
05. Michael Fatialofa	12. Willis Halaholo
06. Brad Shields	13. Matt Proctor
07. Ardie Savea	14. Cory Jane
08. Victor Vito	15. James Marshall

.
Replacements: 16. Leni Apisai , 17. Chris Eves, 18. Mike Kainga , 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Vince Aso, 23. Julian Savea

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Bath Rugby vs Leicester Tigers
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud, 21 Degrees, 13mph South Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Ellis Genge	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Josh Beaumont	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. James Gaskell 20. Josh Van Der Flier 21. Dan Lydiate 22. Tawera Kerr Barlow 23. Liam Williams

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Nick Phipps
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Brian Mujati 19. Stan South 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Micky Young 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

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Racing 92 vs RC Toulon
Twickenham
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 10mph South Westerly Winds

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Racing 92

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Dimitri Szarzewski (c)	10. Dan Carter
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bernard Le Roux	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Manuel Carriza	12. Henry Chavancy
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Johan Goosen
07. Yannick Nyanga	14. Joe Rokocoko
08. Chris Masoe	15. Brice Dulin

_
Replacements: 16. Camille Chat, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Juandré Kruger, 19. Antoine Claassen, 20. Xavier Chauveau, 21. Marc Andreu, 22. Albert Vulivuli, 23. Luc Ducalcon

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Toulon

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Jonathan Pélissié
02. Guilhem Guirado (c)	10. Matt Giteau
03. Levan Chilachava
04. Samu Manoa	11. Bryan Habana
05. Konstantin Mikautadze	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe	14. Josua Tuisova
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Leigh Halfpenny

.
Replacements: 16. Jean Charles Orioli, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Romain Taofiféuna, 19. Virgile Bruni, 20. Théo Belan, 21. Delon Armitage, 22. Frédéric Michalak, 23. Manusa Saulo

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Worcester Warriors vs Gloucester Rugby
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud, 19 Degrees, 13mph South Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager: Prop

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Devin Toner	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Huw Jones
07. Matt Todd	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Warren Whiteley (c)	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Val Ruskin 18. WP Nel 19. Tom Savage 20. Ben Morgan 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. NMS

Feedback on:
Back row,
EQ options,
Centre pairing,
Does this team fit the attributes?

Attributes
Defensive:
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty
Attacking:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

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Gloucester 
Manager – Mat

01. Rob Evans	09. TJ Perenara
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Uini Atonio
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Tomas Lavanini	12. Matt Toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Israel Folau
07. Ardea Savea	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

:-
16. Tendai Mtawarira 17. Joe Gray 18. Juan Figallo 19. Elliot Stooke 20. Willem Alberts 21. Dan Robson 22. Handre Pollard 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

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Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Rugby
Twickenham
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 10mph South Westerly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliot Dixon	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Dane Coles 17. Jefferson Poirot 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Jamie Elliott

Chiefs Attributes
Defensive Traits	Attacking Traits
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it	Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.	Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Rene Ranger
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Luke Charteris 20 John Barclay, 21. Laurence Pearce 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Craig Gilroy

Vito covers 6, Francis covers 10, Taylor 12, Gilroy 15, Ranger 13

Feedback:  does the 6-2 split work?
How do you rate Gilroy covering 15? Ranger 13? Vito 6? Francis 10? Taylor 12?
Aside from Myall (who likely benches) are my EQ starters ok? I'll try to add to them but it's tricky
Lealiifano ok at 10?
With the new front row and Carter and VDF and Vito playing, is the carrying any better?

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - clearing
2) Phase attack
Defending:
1) Breakdown - slowing up ball
2) organised Ruck defence

In attack our combo of attributes is to keep up fast attacking ball for phase after phase to make our main aim being relentless and piling pressure on the defence using our 2 breakdown savvy flankers and the twin playmakers to ensure we can always have someone leading attack on every non-stop phase, with carriers like VDF, Vito, Kepu, Uhila, Montero and Ranger putting in the yards and the other backs attacking the gaps.

In defence the combo aims to negate their fast ball and pressurise the fringes to maximise pressure on their backline and force them to force their attacking play

I guess we can have a few tactics as well in the season proper? Otherwise I am frankly screwed and don't really see the point of match ups to be honest

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Northampton Saints

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Ramiro Herrara
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Conor Murray
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Manual Montero
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Facunda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

TEAM ATTRIBUTES:
Defence: Blitz Defence and Breakdown - turnover possession.
Attack: First Phase Attack/Strike Moves and Breakdown clearing.

- wear down opposition with big ball carriers in pack and backline
- up tempo in second half with lot of speed

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliot Dixon	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Dane Coles 17. Jefferson Poirot 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Jamie Elliott

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Nick Phipps
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Brian Mujati 19. Stan South 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Micky Young 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

1. Richard Barrington
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Pieter Steph Du Toit
5. George Kruis
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Mamuka Gorgodze
9. Ben Youngs
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Jack Nowell
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Bundee Aki 23. James O'Connor

Attributes

Attack 

Counter Attack -  Feel this will link well with our defensive attributes. Teams will be frustrated by not breaking gain line and will kick to our back three who we feel are very threatening with ball in hand. 

Phase Attack - Feel that with creativity in the back line that if we can keep possession we should be able break sides down using different options as first phase runners. 

Defence 

Chop Tackle - Stopping go forward is key so feel that hitting low and using Kriel, Hooper, Creevy and others (Armitage off bench)to get over the ball and link with our other defensive attribute. 

Breakdown (turnover/ penalty) - Use the pace of Kriel and Hooper as our flankers to really disrupt the possession. Chosen with chop tackle so we can use the pace of our flankers to be first their. Also chop tackle means that opposition come into the ruck in a more static fashion.


Strengths /Weaknesses of side and bench. 

How are Dillane and Barrington rated? Kriel/Hooper combo?

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Rene Ranger
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Luke Charteris 20 John Barclay, 21. Laurence Pearce 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Craig Gilroy

Vito covers 6, Francis covers 10, Taylor 12, Gilroy 15, Ranger 13

Feedback:  does the 6-2 split work?
How do you rate Gilroy covering 15? Ranger 13? Vito 6? Francis 10? Taylor 12?
Aside from Myall (who likely benches) are my EQ starters ok? I'll try to add to them but it's tricky
Lealiifano ok at 10?
With the new front row and Carter and VDF and Vito playing, is the carrying any better?

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - clearing
2) Phase attack
Defending:
1) Breakdown - slowing up ball
2) organised Ruck defence

In attack our combo of attributes is to keep up fast attacking ball for phase after phase to make our main aim being relentless and piling pressure on the defence using our 2 breakdown savvy flankers and the twin playmakers to ensure we can always have someone leading attack on every non-stop phase, with carriers like VDF, Vito, Kepu, Uhila, Montero and Ranger putting in the yards and the other backs attacking the gaps.

In defence the combo aims to negate their fast ball and pressurise the fringes to maximise pressure on their backline and force them to force their attacking play

I guess we can have a few tactics as well in the season proper? Otherwise I am frankly screwed and don't really see the point of match ups to be honest

Yeah definitely can have more tactics in the regular season, think Flux mentioned 450 words

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read	15. Rob Miller

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Lood De Jager 20. David Ewers 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. David Strettle

Attributes
Attack - Counter attack, phase attack
Defence - Slow up ball, blitz defence

Thoughts on

How my pack fits with slowing up ball in defence and rumbling through phases in attack
Centre combo, and how it works with leading a blitz defence
Counter attacking ability of back 3 - go with counter attack or kick chase as an attribute?
How well Webb/Farrell do as a pairing for running a phase attack

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Telusa Veainu
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Do these attributes work for my side?

Defensive:

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Thinking I have plenty of options in Cole, Guirado, Whitelock, Haskell, Hardie and Hughes so this will suit?

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

Excellent kicking halfbacks in Parra & Sanchez and Hogg to step in as 2nd receiver? Look to use the offloads when on with good options in Hughes, Whitelock, SBW, Hogg etc?

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Devin Toner	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Huw Jones
07. Matt Todd	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Warren Whiteley (c)	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Val Ruskin 18. WP Nel 19. Tom Savage 20. Ben Morgan 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. NMS

Feedback on:
Back row,
EQ options,
Centre pairing,
Does this team fit the attributes?

Attributes
Defensive:
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty
Attacking:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sean McMahon	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Ruan Combrinck

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Nick Abendanon

ATTACK:
Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

DEFENCE:
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.


Do the attributes suit the team?
- For attack looking to use strong carriers to create a fluid phase attack. Play makers always available in the backs to take the ball on. Offloading to stop the defence setting.
- For defence big physical tacklers throughout the side so want an emphasis on using the blitz to win collisions . Slowing up the ball to set the blitz again and force opposition to use static carriers. Also allow time to cover for Eastmond when hes playing

Could I have feedback on the following also please?
-Backrow balance
-Malcolm Marx
-Combrink (as a FB & WG)

Sorry lads, will update this as soon as possible. Just attempting to deal with Cowes Week!

Newcastle 30-0 Wasps (No Wasps team)

Bam - Everything fine with the attributes selected. Slight concern with the quality of Symons who needs a good start to the season. Centres of good quality but again lacking a bit of form from both of them. Good pack and no major issues. Smith better at FB obviously but no drama on the wing.

Predictions Open

Like the past threads, I have just thrown a side in for Glos, Bath and Wasps, to get a full set of valid predictions and to help the sides they are playing against, to get some good feedback. 

I'll likely keep this open until Tuesday morning. Will struggle to be around Tuesday, but will endeavour to get the next thread up on Wednesday.

Newcastle 30  - 20 Wasps

Attributes fit your side fine. Serfontein's strong defence suits Blitz. Campagnaro so so. Not really known for his defence but no weakness. Pack will slow up ball fine. Webb and Farrell fine for running phases. Side in good strength. Miller needs to show form to be ok at that level. 

Saints 27 - 25 Chiefs

Attributes suit Saints well. Manu always vulnerable to a good step or clever line on the Blitz though but when he hits he hits. Strong side. Would look so much better with a fit and on form Halfpenny.

Saracens 25 - 25 Hurricanes

I don't think you need two breakdown attributes. You have good breakdown options so I imagine one would be fine. Seems a waste but could just be me I'd still rate you as having a good breakdown pack without a breakdown attribute. Attacking attributes work fine. 

Bath 25 - 22 Leicester

Racing 29 - 21 Toulon

Worcester 23 - 20 Gloucester

Back row fine. EQ starters weak compared to others. Centres a good pair but Jones still raw for top level. Very physical. I don't think two breakdown's are required attributes wise in defence. 

Exeter 25 - 27 Bristol 

Good Exeter side. Think Medard is the clear weak link in the side. Bristol choose good attributes and side looks as strong as it has done. Good win.

Harlequins 29-30 Sale

Steve - Like the counter attack attribute for your team, I'd perhaps use Huget instead of Nowell in this is perhaps lacks a bit of gas to fully exploit. I wouldn't fancy Barrington as a starter, not in quality of this league but Dillane is a handy bench player. Strong back 5, good balance and like the back 3 as I do centres, esp JJ. Jantjies isn't going to win you the tight games imo but the rest of the backline is as good as any in the league, if not better. Great backrow balance, bit of everything giving you plenty of go-forward.

SJE - Tactics suit your team well, plenty of power and carrying options to get you front foot ball. Not sure of the balance of the backrow with McMahon more of a 6 option imo. I like Combrinck a lot. Better on wing but a very good option at FB.

Northampton 32-26 Chiefs

Strong team from Saints as expected with their EQ option. Going to picky I'd say the lineout is not strong and can be picked in. Wingers perhaps not the best. Rest of the team oozes quality though.

Bath 27-24 Leicester

Bath can perhaps get on top a little in the pack and this gives the fantastic Barrett plenty of platform to work his magic. Fantastic midfield for Bath if both players get in form...which they're not quite at. Tigers have improved already but Phipps can't start with the rut he's in, midfield could be tasty depending on how Te'o gets on.

Racing 26-25 Toulon

Worcester 27-25 Gloucester

Prop - Like the backrow Prop, good if not great if you know what I mean with no top Int option. Tait a good EQ, similar with Thomas if he ever gets in some form. Harrison decent with a good 10 like Bigger, not sure on Short. Decent attributes, offloading could be an option with some of your starters.

Exeter 25-25 Bristol

Exeter - not convinced with the front row in the league but back 5 looking good and could play about 5 FH's!

CJ - Like the front row, need better than Myall at lock though, he drags down what is a very good looking pack. Need to see more of Francis really who's looked handy when I've caught him. Team on the whole looking better this season, CL's bad news will hit you hard in the game as he's a cool operator. Not sure of Gilroy at 15 really, last resort imo.

Yeah really not sure what to do with LLF's illness, he could be back and playing by next super rugby season but depends on his type of leukaemia tbh. I need another 10 sharpish though I'll be starting LLF for a while

Newcastle 32 - 25 Wasps
Falcons looking very strong for next season, might be hurt in the pack when RC is on but certainly pushing for top4 and strong bench. I wouldn't go with kick chase, maybe better suited to first phase attack given strike runners in back three.

Harlequins 25 - 23 Sale
Steve that backline is so well balanced, really good attacking options and combinations - I'd have gone with Sale if the weather conditions weren't so sunny as can see your no10 having to prove himself a little more when it isn't good attacking rugby conditions.

SJE excellent team as always, prefer McMahon as a no6, both your hookers need to be tested at the next level to see how good they are and think the SA is better on the wing than at fb, but so many power runners in your backline now.

Saracens 28 - 28 Hurricanes
Agree with Steve's comments on breakdown attributes. Personally think that Parra doesnt suit the rest of your backline who could cause a lot of damage with quick attacking ball.

Bath 28 - 24 Leicester
Tigers improving with a few more additions. Teo'o doing well for Worcester in real life would be a massive plus.

Worcester 28 - 26 Gloucester
Harrison and Batty wouldn't say are the best, but other options good EQ wise.

Exeter 22 - 24 Bristol
Bristol looking very good, additions to the front row have helped massively and getting some excellent ball carriers in there too. Would probably look around some other EQ options that could be out there like Tom Brady, Guy Thompson and a few others as they'd improve you.

May not be able to predict until Monday night, if that's too late no worries

That's fine mate, they will be open Monday evening.

Falcons 30-24 Wasps
9-10 will work well with the phase play,
Good pack for heads up rugby,
Centre blitz will work,
Miller needs a bit more should kick on well this season.

Quins 24-27 Sharks
Quins-back row works, Barrington and Dillaine ok during internationals, Dillaine should kick on though.
Sale-Marx will do ok, Combrick I prefer on wing, backrow balance fine for me.
Both teams attributes suits them well. Sale just have that extra edge to them in the front 5.

Saints 28-24 Chiefs
Saints very strong, good impact bench to match the increase in tempo. Attributes will work well on hard ground.

Sarries 24-23 Hurricanes
I'd look at one breakdown for defense and maybe a blitz with your backline here. Attacking attributes work well with how you line up. Hogg ok with first receiver, offloading will work in good conditions with your backline supporting.

Bath 25-24 Tigers
Tigers improving and Beale-Te'o hitting form in AP will work well this season. Bath packing a slight edge in the pack.

Chiefs 24-25 Bristol
Bristol-6-2 ok in the wet conditions not in the dry unless you have a strong running pack. Not sure about Gilroy at 15 or Francis at 10, others ok. So long as Sharples and Pennell hit form eq ok. Carrying much better, got backrow for the winter as well there with Pearce to come on.

Quins 27 - 25 Sale

Quins - like the attributes, flankers could be a bit lightweight for wet weather game. Barrington a weakness, Dillane will come through this season imo, already not a bad starter though

Sale - don't like blitz as a good fit, midfield lacks a leader for it. Combrinck a wing for me, Marx probably your best hooker

Saints 27 - 25 Chiefs

Saints got a strong side out and the attributes chosen are a good fit

Saracens 24 - 26 Hurricanes

Agree that you don't need two breakdown attributes. Attacking attributes work, agree that Parra could be improved on

Bath 24 - 24 Leicester

Racing 21 - 19 Toulon

Worcester 26 - 23 Glos

Wuss - back row is good, think EQ options a bit lacking here and holds you back

Need to see more of Jones before being able to rate him

Don't need two breakdown attributes

Exeter 22 - 24 Bristol

Exeter fit well with selected attributes, and the side looks pretty strong!

Brizzle

Looks pretty strong, no issues with the 6-2 split. Like the look of the pack from a carrying point of view .. Montoya/VDF/Ahila a big help here

Ranger, Taylor, Vito fine as cover there, others less so

Falcons 29 - 20 Wasps

Think the pack can do both of those roles, especially that back row which is well selected for that. The centres work pretty well, these dAys would consider Farrell as a 12 too. The back 3 are fantastic line runners and counter attackers so I'd go with that. The halfbacks are getting better as a running option. Will never be a Smith-Cruden but still impressive

Quins 26 - 26 Sale

Quins' strengths include the lineout, dynamism of back row, and a backline that can start an attack from anywhere within it. 9-10 can be gotten at but also can win games themselves. Front row rocky. Good bench. Dillane will be fine, Barrington could be but has dropped off a bit with Mako so strong. The flankers are a great combo, need that power from Gorgodze to work best though.

For Sale The offloading and phase attack definitely works with the handling in the backs and the pack can come in to make the hard yards . The pack can do the breakdown stuff, and the blitz is ok. The back row is very efficient, but lacks some flair. Prefer Combrink at wing but very in form generally and I like him, Marx doing well too.

Saints 28 - 26 Chiefs

Saracens - 26 - 25 Hurricanes

The pack definitely fits the breakdown approaches in defence, has players all through it, and think you've picked the same 2 attacking traits that I would have with your side, especially the tactical kicking which your set up can do better than most other teams out there.

Bath 21 - 20 Tigers

Racing 24 - 23 Toulon

Worcester 28 - 22 Gloucester

No "stars" in that back row but lots of ability and balance and form. If Morgan plays well this season he's probably an EQ starter but Whiteley is a great player to be able to use. Borderline on Thomas as EQ, and not sure Harrison is up to it. Centres work reasonably well, and the attributes fit, though I think all 3 breakdown attributes at once is putting a lot of pressure on Todd and might not work against a really top breakdown side

This will be open until 0900 tomorrow morning. So get predictions in. Will get the semis up as soon as possible tomorrow.

Newcastle Falcons 29 - 22 Wasps
Harlequins 28 - 28 Sale Sharks - Extra Time
Northampton Saints 31 - 25 Chiefs
Saracens 26 - 26 Hurricanes - Extra Time

Bath Rugby 28 - 23 Leicester Tigers
Racing 92 27 - 22 RC Toulon
Worcester Warriors 29 - 23 Gloucester Rugby
Exeter Chiefs 24 - 28 Bristol Rugby

Lads, I need AET scores for the games that have gone into Extra Time. Just need a score line, will keep it open until 1800 to give me time to get a thread up.

Saracens 31 - 26 Canes

Quins 35-33 Sale
Saracens 33 - 29 Hurricanes

Quins 36 - 33 Sale
Saracens 33 - 26 Canes

Quins 31-34 Sale

Quins 35 - 31 Sale
Sarries 31 - 34 Hurricanes

Harlequins 36 - 33 Sale Sharks
Saracens 34 - 29 Hurricanes

After Extra Time. 

Bonuses: Steve, Prop, Bam, Chris, Pooly, CJ