There’s another action-packed weekend of rugby in store, which includes the quarter-finals of the 2018/19 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The European domestic leagues will go on a week’s break to make way for the European Rugby Champions and Challenge Cup quarter-finals. While the latter competition – which is essentially the Europa League of rugby – usually has a far less glamorous cast, this season is slightly different with the likes of La Rochelle, Clermont, Northampton and Harlequins making up a stellar ensemble.
Sale Sharks v Connacht
Friday 29 March
AJ Bell Stadium
To Win (80 Mins)
Sale 4/11
Draw 20/1
Connacht 23/10
*Forecast Odds
The first of this weekend’s quarter-finals will be an Anglo-Irish affair with the Sale Sharks taking on Connacht in Salford.
The hosts have been in patchy form in their domestic competition of late only winning two of their previous four fixtures, and head into this one off the back of a disappointing 20-14 derby defeat to local rivals, the Newcastle Falcons.
The hosts did enjoy a fine Challenge Cup pool phase though and ended at the top of their pool having won four of their six fixtures.
Connacht actually won five of their pool phase Challenge Cup games but their inability to claim bonus points saw them finish second on the Pool 3 standings – they were in the same pool of sale who ended up topping the group due to points differential.
The two sides met twice in the pool phase with Sale beating Connacht 34-18 at the AJ Bell and Connacht winning 20-18 at the Sportsground.
Verdict: Sale 4./11 *Forecast Odds
Connacht have been in solid touch in the PRO14 of late but I still cannot see them getting one over the Sharks in Salford.
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Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Saturday 30 March
Sixways Stadium
To Win (80 Mins)
Worcester 8/11
Draw 17/1
Harlequins 6/5
*Forecast odds
Next up we have an all-English affair with the Worcester Warriors taking on the Harlequins. Seven places separate the sides on the English Premiership standings but that gulf will count for little as this is knock-out rugby.
Worcester had a fantastic pool phase winning Pool 2 which featured French heavyweights Stade Francais and Pau. Harlequins also managed to top their group, which was a lot weaker than Worcester’s pool, however.
In terms of the form the two sides are carrying into this quarters, come into this off the back of a solid Gallagher Premiership outing against Saracens which saw them go down 27-20 while Worcester beat Bristol 25-27.
Verdict: Worcester 8/11 *Forecast Odds
I’m backing the Warriors to take this one. They look like a real cup team this year; capable of producing magic when required.
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La Rochelle v Bristol Bears
Sunday 31 March
Stade Marcel Delfrandre
To Win (80 Mins)
La Rochelle 1/6
Draw 25/1
Bristol 4/1
*Forecast odds
We hop across the English Channel for our next fixture which will see La Rochelle take on Bristol. The two sides were both grouped in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup with La Rochelle topping the group by just three points.
The two pool phase games between the sides saw Bristol go down 22-35 at home and then respond with a 3-13 away win.
The visitors haven’t had the greatest run of results headed into this one and have lost their last two domestic fixtures. La Rochelle also head into this one in not such a good state with the French side losing their last three Top 14 games.
Verdict: Bristol 4/1 *Forecast Odds
I’m going to put a very small amount of money on an upset here. Bristol are a good side who are more than capable of upsetting the applecart.
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Clermont v Northampton Saints
Sunday 31 March
Stade Marcel Michelin
To Win (80 Mins)
Clermont 1/7
Draw 25/1
Northampton 5/1
*Forecast odds
The quarter-finals will come to a close at the Stade Marcel Michelin where tournament favourites Clermont will take on Northampton.
The hosts had a flawless pool phase that saw them win all six of their games on their way to topping Pool 1. They actually met Northampton twice during this run and beat their opponents 20-41 out in England and 48-40 in France. Northampton’s only two defeats during the pool phase came at the hands of Clermont, with the English side winning their four other fixtures.
The two sides have enjoyed contrasting form on the domestic front of late with Clermont winning their last three Top 14 games by comfortable margins and Northampton losing two of their last three Gallagher Premiership fixtures.
Verdict: Clermont 1/7
While there’s not much value here I simply cannot see Clermont losing on home soil.
