The pick of this weekend’s two European Rugby Champions Cup semi-finals will see reigning champions Leinster play host to mighty Toulouse on Sunday the 21st of April.
European giants Leinster and Toulouse will clash this Sunday in what should be a European Cup tie for the ages. Both sides currently hold the record for claiming the most European titles with each team having won the tournament on for occasions.
Darry Worthington gets his verdict on which of these two historical rugby clubs will come out on top at the Aviva Stadium this Sunday.
Leinster v Toulouse
Sunday 21 April
RDS Arena
16:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Leinster 7/20
Draw 25/1
Toulouse 22/10
Leinster
The Irish Province have only suffered defeat once in Europe this term and, in a rather crazy touch of irony, that loss 28-27 came to Toulouse who they were grouped alongside in the pool phases of this year’s tournament. Leinster did manage to exempt revenge in the return leg as they beat them 29-13 at this weekend’s venue.
Leinster’s polished pool phase was followed by a hard-fought 21-18 quarter-final win over local rivals Ulster.
In terms of recent form, the reigning champions have got off the boil somewhat in the PRO14 and have lost two of their last three fixtures while being held to a 27-27 draw to Treviso in the other. It must be mentioned that Leinster haven’t fielded their best side during this three-game winless streak as they have already qualified for the semi-finals of the PRO14. They will undoubtedly field their strongest match-day 23 this Sunday with European glory on the line.
Toulouse
The sleeping giant of French rugby has truly awoken this year with Toulouse putting in magnificent runs in both Europe and France. Ugo Mola’s men have been perennial underachievers in both the Top 14 and in Europe for the better part of the last decade but that has all changed this term with Toulouse advancing to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup and currently residing at the summit of the Top 14.
Toulouse have also been in fantastic form of late domestically and head into this one off the back of a great 47-44 victory over fellow title contenders Clermont.
This weekend’s visitors also endured a hard-fought quarter-final but managed to overcome local rivals Racing 92 21-22 despite playing a lot of the game a man down.
Verdict: Toulouse 22/10
I’m going for an upset here. I just feel that 2019 is going to be Toulouse’s year both in France and Europe.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net
