It’s crunch time in the Champions Cup with play-off places well and truly on the line in this the final weekend of pool play. Darry Worthington previews.
There are some cracking fixtures in-store with some of the highlights seeing Bath and Toulouse square at the top of Pool 2, while Stade Francais and the Stormers go head-to-head in a crucial Pool 4 clash for the South Africans.
There’s also a pivotal matchup between the Bulls and Bordeaux at Loftus as well as an intriguing affair between Leinster and English outfit Leicester.
Saturday 20 January
Bulls 1/6 | Draw 25/1 | Bordeaux 44/10 (15:00)
Handicap
Bulls (-10.5) 17/20 | Bordeaux (+10.5) 17/20
Jake White’s charges will be looking to secure their place in the next round by getting one over already qualified Bordeaux at Loftus. The hosts currently sit five points adrift of Pool 2 leaders and their opponents for Saturday Bordeaux.
The men from Pretoria come into this one off the back of a fantastic Round 3 win beating Bristol 17-31 at Ashton Gate. What made the victory all the more impressive is that the Bulls managed it without several Springboks with Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden, who were all rested. The quartet of World Cup winners is likely to feature this weekend, however.
While the Bulls registered a great result last weekend, Bordeaux were even more impressive, smashing Saracens 55-15 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. While Saracens are having issues this term, the way Bordeaux – who are fast becoming Europe’s form team – tore a Saracens outfit loaded with international players apart was eye-catching.
Verdict: Bulls (-10.5) 17/20
With qualification already secured, I suspect Bordeaux will rest some of their big guns which will open up the door for a big Bulls win at Loftus.
Leicester 26/10 | Draw 25/1 | Leinster 3/10 (17:15)
Handicap
Leicester (+8.5) 17/20 | Leinster (-8.5) 17/20
Undefeated Leinster will make the trip over to England to take on a Leicester outfit who need a victory here to secure qualification to the next round.
No Johnny Sexton, no party? That’s been far from the case for Leinster who currently top Pool 1 having yet to taste defeat. Ireland’s premier club side have beaten La Rochelle 9-16, Sale 37-27 and most recently Stade Francais 43-7. Last weekend’s win over Stade saw Leinster at their best with their pack laying a brilliant platform for their dynamic backs to work off.
Leicester have been less impressive this term but still have two wins under their belts beating the Stormers 35-26 and Stade 24-27 in Rounds 1 and 2. They got a wake-up call this past weekend, however, as they were beaten 45-12 by French club La Rochelle. With La Rochelle breathing down their necks and Sale not completely out of the race, Leicester know they will need to produce the goods on home soil if they are to advance to the next round.
Verdict: Leicester (+8.5) 17/20
While I do think Leinster will get the win here, I don’t reckon it will be by much. As such, I’m on the hots on the plus.
Stade 14/10 | Draw 20/1 | Stormers 6/10 (19:30)
Handicap
Stade (+3.5) 17/20 | Stormers (-3.5) 17/20
We cross the English Channel for our next fixture which sees a faltering Stade Francais outfit take on a Stormers side with one foot in the next round already.
The hosts have endured a dire European campaign and are yet to win a game going down 28-5 to Sale in Round 1 and 24-27 to Leicester in Round 2. Things got worse for them last weekend in Round 3 where they were hammered 43-7 by Leinster.
They are out of the running for a place in the next round of the competition but need a win and a Sale Sharks loss to qualify for the Challenge Cup Round of 16 so they are still likely to field a strong side, especially with this fixture being on home soil.
The Stormers have enjoyed a far superior campaign to that of their opponents for Saturday with the men from Cape Town winning two of their three fixtures. The victories came against La Rochelle (21-20) in Round 2 and Sale (31-24) this past weekend, while they opened their campaign with a 35-26 away loss to the Leicester Tigers.
Verdict: Stormers 6/10
I reckon this one could be rather open as Stade will go in search of a bonus point to at least see them qualify for the Challenge Cup. I do think this may play into the Stormers hands with their exciting backline
Sunday 21 January
Toulouse 1/20 | Draw 33/1 | Bath 17/2
Handicap
Toulouse (-17.5) 17/20 | Bath (+17.5) 17/20
Our final in-depth fixture should be an absolute cracker with a rejuvenated Bath outfit taking on reigning Top 14 champions Toulouse.
Both sides have enjoyed outstanding campaigns thus far and are locked on 15 pool points a piece at the summit of Pool 2.
The duo impressed in last weekend’s Round 3 fixtures with Bath grinding out a 29-25 win over a talented and desperate Racing 92 outfit at the Rec, while Toulouse enjoyed a successful jaunt to Ireland as they beat Ulter 24-28.
Both these sides know how to get across the whitewash having claimed try-scoring bonus points in all three of their fixtures.
The key man for this one may well be Bath’s Finn Russell. The Scottish pivot came up trumps against his old club Racing last weekend being the key man in the four-point victory. His vast experience and attacking flare may once again hold the key for Bath.
Verdict: Bath (+17.5) 17/20
While I can’t see Bath winning the fixture, I can see them being competitive. Money on the visitors to stay within the handicap.
Quickfire tips
Glasgow (-13.5) v Toulon
Connacht (-3.5) v Bristol
Harlequins Win v Ulster
Racing (-28.5) v Cardiff
Munster (-10.5) v Northampton
Lyon Win v Saracens
Exeter Win v Bayonne
