European Challenge Cup Previews
Challenge Cup: Montpellier v Harlequins Preview
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Montpellier v Harlequins | Friday 22 January | Altrad Stadium | 21:45
Harlequins will be looking to maintain their flawless Challenge Cup campaign with a sixth successive victory this Friday. Standing in their way is a star-studded Montpellier side who have endured a torrid season thus far. Jake White’s side are sitting on the precipice of a group stage exit from the competition. They currently occupy second spot in Pool 4 but with the third-placed Cardiff Blues taking on the group’s whipping boys, Rugby Calvisano; Montpellier may find themselves out of the running for one of the best-placed runners-up spots.
Can Montpellier sneak through the back door into the knockout phase or will ‘Quins end the hosts European aspirations?
Montpellier v Harlequins | Friday 22 January | Altrad Stadium | 21:45
Harlequins will be looking to maintain their flawless Challenge Cup campaign with a sixth successive victory this Friday. Standing in their way is a star-studded Montpellier side who have endured a torrid season thus far. Jake White’s side are sitting on the precipice of a group stage exit from the competition. They currently occupy second spot in Pool 4 but with the third-placed Cardiff Blues taking on the group’s whipping boys, Rugby Calvisano; Montpellier may find themselves out of the running for one of the best-placed runners-up spots.
Can Montpellier sneak through the back door into the knockout phase or will ‘Quins end the hosts European aspirations?
Bath Rugby v London Wasps Preview
Bath Rugby v London Wasps | Saturday 19 December | Recreation Ground | 21:45
When last Sunday night rolled around I was moderately pleased with my European Rugby predictions. Despite Toulouse getting rolled over by Ulster and Toulon not clearing the margin I suggested they would I still had a small smile on my face. My tip for Exter to beat Clermont had come in and I was confident Wasps would be able to give Bath a trouncing. How wrong I was. Despite trailing for the majority of the second half, the Men in Blue and White managed to claim a dramatic late win.
Their victory has left things nicely poised in Pool 2 with only six points separating first placed Wasps and third placed Toulon – who still have a game in hand – on the log. With things so tight, the result of this game could have huge ramifications for all the teams in the pool.
Gloucester v Worcester
Gloucester Rugby v Worster Warriors | Thursday 17 December | Kingsholm Stadium
Gloucester will be looking to secure their participation in the next round of the European Challenge Cup when they take on Worster for the second time in the space of seven days this Thursday. For their opponents, this game represents nothing more than an opportunity to salvage some pride as they are out of the running for a playoff spot.
