Summer Tournament Finals

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Harlequins vs Saracens
Twickenham
Heavy Rain Showers, 20 Degrees, 25mph South Westerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
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01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Steven Myler
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damien McKenzie (k)

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16. Scott Baldwin 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ben Youngs 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Robbie Henshaw

Tactics

I take it we can't change our attributes? Do I only choose the ones which suit the conditions (IE not counter attacking)

Attack - Phase Play

Defence - Chop Tackle , Breakdown (Turnover and Penalty)

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Lee Dickson
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. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Dave Denton 21. Morgan Parra 22. Pat Lambie 23. Stuart Hogg

Tactics:

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

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

Attacking:

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

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

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Sale Sharks vs Hurricanes
Principality Stadium
Heavy Rain, 17 degrees, 40mph South Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Martin Moore
04. Iain Henderson	11. Ruan Combrinck
05. Maro Itoje	12. Malakai Fekitoa
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Seta Taminavula
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Atu Moli 19. Dave Attwood 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Quade Cooper 23. Nemani Nadolo

Could I have feedback please on:
Midfield combo
Atu Moli

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Hurricanes

01. Loni Uhila	09. TJ Perenara (c)
02. Dane Coles	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. Ricky Riccitelli , 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 Worcester Warriors
Aviva Stadium
Heavy Rain Showers, 18 degrees, 16mph Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damien De Allende
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Liam Squire	15. Alex Goode

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Subs: 16. Rory Best, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Josh Beaumont, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Finn Russell, 23. Christian Wade

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Worcester Warriors

01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Nehe Milner-Skudder
05. Mike Williams	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jackson Wray	13. Brice Dulin
07. George Smith	14. James Short
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Val Ruskin 18. WP Nel 19. Leone Nakawara 20. Sam Warburton 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Waisake Naholo

Feedback on bench and 6n pack please. 


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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Friendlies

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Bristol Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Luke Charteris	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Rene Ranger
08. Laurence Pearce	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Rob Buchanan  18. James Johnstone 19. Kearnan Myall 20 John Barclay, 21. Rhoddri Williams 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Digby Ioane

Feedback:  

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

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	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. Brad Shields	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Melani Nanai

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Maxime Medard

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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Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Falcons

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Dave Ward	10. Francois Trin-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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Subs: 16. Hika Elliott 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Stan South 20. Sam Jones 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits	Attacking Traits
Drift Defence: Your side is known for the drift and maintaining the line and excels at it.	Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
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.	Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.

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Thoughts on the RC side for Tigers? I'm guessing areas for improvement are front row and halfbacks

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. David Strettle
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. David Ewers	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Luke Jones 20. Callum Clark 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

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

Thoughts on RC side as a whole and how they fit the attributes
Would you put Will Evans/Jack O'Donaghue in over any of the 3 flankers in this squad
Balance of outside backs - put Anscombe at FB for 2nd distributor with Piutau on wing?

[b][b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

[/b]
[/b]

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Steven Myler
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damien McKenzie (k)

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ben Youngs 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Robbie Henshaw

Tactics

I take it we can't change our attributes? Do I only choose the ones which suit the conditions (IE not counter attacking)

Attack - Phase Play

Defence - Chop Tackle , Breakdown (Turnover and Penalty)

Steven_Sharks wrote:[b][b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
[/b][/b]

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Steven Myler
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damien McKenzie (k)

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ben Youngs 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Robbie Henshaw

Tactics

I take it we can't change our attributes? Do I only choose the ones which suit the conditions (IE not counter attacking)

Attack - Phase Play

Defence - Chop Tackle , Breakdown (Turnover and Penalty)

The idea I thought would be that you can't change them, as it is something that is innate within your side once chosen. Therefore with the weather in play, you could say that your side will limit the counter attacking, however they are likely to counter more as it is something that has been drilled into them. 
That is how I saw this attribute test going. Then in particular points of the season, similar to injuries, you could 'swap' another attribute, depending on the time of the season etc.

I completely agree we can't change per game. 

But in heavy rain I'm not going to be encouraging counter attacking so can I simply leave that tactical aspect out and say we aren't going to be running the ball back?

Think that makes sense

Pretty much. The situation may arise in the season where you may come up against someone that has all four traits in play, compared to, say for example yourself with only three in play. That could that actually create an advantage for someone to sneak an upset, by out manoeuvring a side tactically.

Like it

1. Joe Moody
2. Ross Batty
3. Henry Thomas
4. Mike Williams
5. Yohann Maestri
6. Jackson Wray
7. George Smith
8. Warren Whiteley
9. Gareth Davies
10. Dan Biggar
11. Nms
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Brice Dulin
14. James Short
15. Mathew Tait

16. Codie Taylor 17. Val Ruskin 18. WP Nel 19. Leone Nakawara 20. Sam Warburton 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Waisake Naholo

Feedback on bench and 6n pack please. Can someone put the attributes on for me, only managed.to find good WiFi and time to do this!

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Lee Dickson
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. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Dave Denton 21. Morgan Parra 22. Pat Lambie 23. Stuart Hogg

Tactics:


Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

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

Attacking:

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

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

Just need a side from SJE

Are you putting a side in for a friendly Flux

Yeah, need to do it in a moment

I can put a friendly side in

Yes mate, unless someone else crops up, I can put a side in for Tigers and Chiefs

Both will be RC sides, BAM & CJ

Yeah planning on doing the same

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	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. Brad Shields	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Melani Nanai

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Maxime Medard

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.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Dave Ward	10. Francois Trin-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
Subs: 16. Hika Elliott 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Stan South 20. Sam Jones 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits	Attacking Traits
Drift Defence: Your side is known for the drift and maintaining the line and excels at it.	Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
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.	Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.

Thoughts on the RC side for Tigers? I'm guessing areas for improvement are front row and halfbacks

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. David Strettle
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. David Ewers	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Luke Jones 20. Callum Clark 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

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

Thoughts on RC side as a whole and how they fit the attributes
Would you put Will Evans/Jack O'Donaghue in over any of the 3 flankers in this squad
Balance of outside backs - put Anscombe at FB for 2nd distributor with Piutau on wing?

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Luke Charteris	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Rene Ranger
08. Laurence Pearce	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Rob Buchanan  18. James Johnstone 19. Kearnan Myall 20 John Barclay, 21. Rhoddri Williams 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Digby Ioane



Feedback:  


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

Can I just get feedback on individual combo's, front row/engine room etc in predo's (if you have time obviously).

Predictions open, will post up a side for SJE when he gets one in.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Martin Moore
04. Iain Henderson	11. Ruan Combrinck
05. Maro Itoje	12. Malakai Fekitoa
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Seta Taminavula
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Atu Moli 19. Dave Attwood 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Quade Cooper 23. Nemani Nadolo

Could I have feedback please on:
Midfield combo
Atu Moli

For my feedback, guys, can I get feedback on the RC side, the attributes with this side +/- the likes of Sam Carter, Vito and Kepu and Cubelli, and whether the bench players are OK for a RC bench? Thanks

Sale 27-26 Hurricanes

Good game and this one will go right to the wire. Tried and tested combo's for Sale and they'll just have enough when the benches are rolled out. SJE - centre combo is a little too much of the same for me, but this will only be an issue against strong sides.

Bath 29-26 Worcester

A bit more in the Bath front 5 that will allow a platform for the rest of the game and allow hem to get on top in the scrum. Very little in the backrows but I prefer the Bath halfbacks and centres/back 3. Prop, like the general make-up of your team, just Bath have a little more and Barrett's form is great. Not sure of Dulin at 13.

Harlequins 26 - 24 Saracens
A close game between these two good sides. Sarries possess players which are adept in their own areas, although Quins have forwards which can excel in all departments. Sarries are a little stronger at the scrum and from the back of the scrum, Quins have more success from the line out, especially when Armitage can get in the position at the back with the ball. 
Half backs re both similar in make up, looking to get control and marshal both the back and forwards around the park. Whilst Pienaar offers a little more out wide, Dickson's control of the forwards garners them a little more efficiency. The Sarries back line, for me lacks a touch of creativity. A lot of emphasis is based upon Sanchez to create holes, whereas in comparison, Quins have players that can create space for others, that is epitomized by McKenzie. 
In the end the conditions will nullify a lot of play, but the Quins ability to build an attack, and chop down the big Sarries runners will see them squeak through and earn a hard fought victory. 


Sale Sharks 21 - 20 Hurricanes
The battle up front is quite close, as both sets of the front five are very similar, they are handy with ball in hand around the park, and solid at the set piece to allow a strong supply of possession. With the weather as it is, the Sharks will edge this contest, with a little more dynamic carrying in the narrow channels. The Canes half backs are in great form and can manage to put their forwards in the areas of the field they need to be in. SJE, your midfield is strong, but I would feel like you need Le Roux in the back three to make up for a lack of creativity. Fekitoa isn't at his best, but do feel he will get better. Moli is developing nicely and would be a good option from the bench. A close one, but the Sharks bench does help push them over the line. 


Bath Rugby 18 - 20 Worcester Warriors
Warriors are a little more stronger up front, although may struggle a little at the line out. Moody can get at Lee and be a nuisance to prevent Bath launching Squire. Bath have some brilliant control and creativity from Barrett, and with Davies providing a back up boot, with Machenaud Bath can play the territory game. Prop, for me Dulin would struggle at 13, is much better suited at 15. Bath have some solid hands at the back to prevent any mistakes. Worcester look dangerous with ball in hand and their forwards will do a lot of good work, to help get good possession and secure the victory.

Ok Dulin at 13 was 100% a typo.....i shall blame the queue for splash mountain and Walt Disney himself!! Should be able to predict in a few hours!

Just a quick note. Would like Predos for the friendlies as well, don't have to be as full extent to the main ones, if you can at least give feedback and a score that will suffice a full prediction bonus.

Quins 22-23 Sarries

Sale 26-25 Canes

Bristol 22-21 Chiefs

Tigers 20-21 Falcons

Sorry for no explanations, managed to get WiFi before heading put for the day again. Back in UK on Thurs so hopefully more active then!

Sale 25 - 24 Hurricanes

Midfield doesn't offer much control if Sexton comes under pressure but on the front foot they have a big threat with ball in hand. Moli has been easily targetted along with the rest of the Chiefs scrum this year but is young and will improve. Would be a weakness at this point in a league game.

Bath 26 - 24 Worcester

6N pack ok but I would be playing Nakarawa ahead of Maestri unless it's really awful conditions. From the bench Harrison and Williams would be weak in the starting side as considerably worse than the options ahead of them.

Bristol 24 - 25 Exeter Chiefs

Not a huge fan of Spencer at 9 though he does have an excellent kicking game. LLF will soon begin to lose rating. 

Think Exeter front row will struggle at the scrum as will Nanai at 15. Big fan of the back row and think the midfield has a good blend.

Leicester 25 - 23 Newcastle

It is the front row and half backs that are weakest for your RC side. Really like the back 5 of the scrum. 

Not sure counter attack fits that side myself. Three flankers in the squad are stronger than Evans and Donaghue currently. Not a huge fan of the lock combo.

Quins 17 - 20 Saracens

Sarries have a great pack, think they'll be very tough to beat at home this season, good mix of carrying, set piece and breakdown ability. Quins also good, back 5 looks great but props need to find a bit of form. Stronger in the backs though, but Sarries still have some dangerous players

Good game, Sarries tactical kicking will go well here, and think they can squeeze through here in awful conditions

Sale 24 - 20 Hurricanes

What a match up this would be. Sale at full strength have enough to dominate in the pack, and the backs to match Canes, and will win this with a bit in hand

Centres are good, but agree that they are a bit samey, and a bit of variety might be a better option, I prefer Fekitoa at 13 too.

Not seen enough of Moli to give a real opinion

Bath 30 - 27 Worcester

Packs pretty well matched, but Barrett's form will give Bath the win here in a close fought game. Think the outside backs for Bath will get on top of the opposition, and Dulin is most definitely not a 13!!

Wuss - 6N pack looks ok, think Smith won't be playing much until the next Super Rugby season so could lose rating by the 6N. Bench some good impact, but missing Nel/Warbs in the 6N it lacks some quality

Bristol 26 - 24 Chiefs

Liking the look of the Brizzle pack with Vito in there. Spencer needs games and Lilo will unfortunately lose rating - outside backs much more solid this week

Exeter - I wonder whether the defensive attributes are best suited, attack looks fine

Midfield could really push on this season, a lot riding on Mo'unga next year

Quins 21 - 24 Saracens

For Quins, phase attack works very well with their carrying front row and their carrying ability in the backs. The turnover one will be better once Armitage gets a bit more form back. Saracens attributes work well with their team. Quins front row add more in the loose right now but I think Saracens edge the scrum. Nice close line out, Saracens probably have more options at the breakdown too. 1 apiece at HB, like both centres, Quins more established, and Quins have a bit more form and magic in back 3.

Very close, but with the nice attribute mix and edge in the pack, Saracens just win for me


Sale 25  - 25 Hurricanes

Sale have a really good front row and get an edge there. Sale have a great line out and second row pairing, really works well. But Canes have an exceptionally good backrow this year and can really pressure Sale there. 2 excellent HB pairings but hard to see ahead of Hurricanes on form. Hurricanes have very effective backs, but I prefer Sale here with a nice balance in the back 3 and some flair, think the centres work well, Fekitoa doing ok at 12 as well as 13, but agree it's a bit samey. 
Moli has looked good but would like to see a little more of him. It's a very close match, I can't call it 

Bath 18 - 22 Worcester

For Worcester, the pack is very good in the loose, and I like the backrow but think Williams would strengthen it at 6 with Nakawara at lock. The scrum needs some form from Thomas. The bench is really strong and adds impetus, certainly strengthens things coming on. 

I think Bath will win the scrum and maybe just edge the line out. The Worcester pack maybe add more in the loose and have well selected attributes, which without further info from Bath would give them the edge in a close backrow and breakdown battle. We know the Worcester HBs work well but Barrett's form is imperious at 10. I assume that Dulin and Tait swap directly? I like Roberts/Tait at centre. That would probably edge the Bath duo. 2 back 3s that can be used really well depending on tactics. Given that we can see how they play with attributes, Worcester win today

Tigers 23 -26  Falcons

I agree front row is a weakness for Tigers and Falcons get an edge there. Good second rows but I give Tigers the edge and a close backrow battle, Tigers probably work a bit better at the breakdown and are understated but the Falcons' one would be very effective. Right now and in the rain I would not swap that backrow about. Young not the best to start at 9, FTH is fine though. Good combo with Webb and Farrell for Falcons. Very powerful centre combos, both work well. Tigers' back 3 need form but will be world class if they find it all at once, right now the solid but more in form Falcons wingers are ahead and Piutau a huge boon to the side. Right now Falcons are ahead. 

I'm happy with the attributes for both sides, and both good RC sides. Would keep Piutau at FB for now.

Quins 15 - 15 Saracens
Hard to call, not sure what Sanchez is like in the heavy rain conditions, whilst Myler is very solid and dependable. Even across the forwards, Quins would have an edge in frt. 5 if Brookes was in good form. Cant split.

Sale 22 - 20 Hurricanes
Midfield ok, but think with the wingers you have and Sexton as no10 you don't have someone with the passing creativity to really make the most of them. Stupid amounts of power but not sure balance works, and outside Sexton not many kicking options.

Bath 19-18 Worcester
Weather conditions I see Bath edging this by narrowest of margins, but that is really because Worcester back three could be got at a little in the wet. Not sure about Wray Prop, but great bench, lot of impact, maybe start the Fijian lock though, he's a great player and would be good combo with Williams.

Tigers 19 -22 Falcons
Tigers much improved, would like to see a power runner in the back three but if FTD does well at Toulon then big plus. Like Manoa in the pack, but just see Falcons edging this with Farrell.

Bristol 25 - 21 Chiefs
Agree with all of Bam's comments on this game.

Bristol 25-27 Exeter

Bristol shade the front row contest with Sinckler not quite at this level. Exeter have the stronger engine room by a whisker and I like the make up of their backrow. Good flanks for Bristol but I think they'll need better at 8 to really climb the table. Very little in the backlines really and attributes suit both teams.

Leicester 23-26 Falcons

Falcons with the stronger front row, certainly an area for you to improve on for the RC Flux but not a total mess. I prefer the Tigers back 5, good depth and power. Bam, good front 5, perhaps a slight improvement in the backrow but again, nothing major. Good halfback pairings, bit more for Falcons and centres to Tigers. Back 3 to Falcons also. Good RC sides really, no major concerns.

Summer Tournament Cup Final
Harlequins 21 - 23 Saracens

Summer Tournament Plate Final
Sale Sharks 27 - 23 Hurricanes

Summer Tournament Shield Final
Bath Rugby 25 - 24 Worcester Warriors

Friendly Games

Bristol Rugby 26 - 25 Exeter Chiefs

Leicester Tigers 23 - 26 Newcastle Falcons

Bonuses
Full: Fluxy, Steve, Bam, Chris, Pooly, CJ
Score: Prop