The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be out to make history when they host Clermont Auvergne in Saturday’s first Challenge Cup semi-final at The Stoop in London before Gloucester entertain Benetton at the Kingsholm in the second.
Saturday 4 May
Hollywoodbets Sharks 78/100 | Draw 18/1 | Clermont 11/10 (13:30)
Despite having to play their ‘home’ semi-final on neutral ground, John Plumtree’s brigade have what it takes to outdo Clermont and reach their first-ever European rugby final. Their miserable start to the URC season has been well documented, but the Durbanites have hit back hard with five wins from their last six in all competitions heading into this encounter and seem confident of outgunning their French foes.
Sitting 13th on the URC, their only hopes at qualification for next season’s Champions Cup now rests solely on the outcome of their Challenge Cup campaign with the Sharks’ players having made no bones about just how badly they want to measure themselves against Europe’s elite. Saturday represents an ideal opportunity to show their naysayers just what they’re made of.
Clermont are 10th in the Top 14 but domestic form will matter little for the three-time winners of this competition. That last title came in 2019, and with players like Rabah Slimani, Marcos Kremer and Alivereti Raka on their books, Les Jaunards have the muscle to add another this season.
Verdict: Sharks 78/100
The Sharks have enough experience and quality to best this Clermont outfit in London. Back them to get the job done and book a place in the final.
Gloucester 43/100 | Draw 20/1 | Benetton 2/1 (16:00)
Handicap
Gloucester (-5.5) 9/10 | Benetton (+5.5) 9/10
A Challenge Cup title for Gloucester would be a remarkable feat for them this season given their struggles on the domestic front. It’s odd to think the club occupying ninth with just four wins from 16 in the Gallagher Premiership is the same one that topped Pool 3 with a four-from-four record and is now favoured to progress to the final, but George Skivington’s men really have been that good in Europe.
The Cherry and Whites will surely be buoyed by their home support, while the fact that they are two-time winners of the competition (2006 and 2015) will stand them in good stead come kick-off on Saturday.
They face sturdy opposition though in the form of a Benetton side that has been in excellent touch under Marco Bortolami this season. They’re eighth in the URC and remain well on track for a rare knockout appearance, though one would think a Challenge Cup title would be their most attainable bit of silverware on offer for them.
The Italian outfit came unstuck at this stage of last year’s edition and will be eager to right those wrongs, but they’ll face an uphill battle.
Verdict: Benetton (+5.5) 9/10
The home team should have enough ammo to hold off Benetton and sneak into the final.
