The EPCR Challenge Cup enters its quarter-final phase with the Hollywoodbets Sharks South Africa’s final flagbearer in the competition. They face Edinburgh in Durban. Shaun Gooses previews all four matches.
Friday 12 April
Gloucester 1/3 | Draw 20/1 | Ospreys 5/2 (21:00)
Handicap
Gloucester (-7.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+7.5) 17/20
Gloucester put Castres away by five points last week and face more stiff opposition in the form of Ospreys at the Kingsholm. The Cherry and Whites’ Gallagher Premiership season has been forgettable, but a Challenge Cup semi-final would be hugely encouraging for supporters of the club. Having claimed the title twice, the last coming in 2015, they have strength to draw on heading into the business end of the competition.
Ospreys’ round of 16 win over Sale came after a resounding 36-21 URC defeat of the Lions, with Toby Booth’s side sure to take plenty of momentum into this one. It should be another close call, but the Welsh club have the form, experience and quality to cause an upset away from home.
Verdict: Ospreys (+7.5) 17/20
I reckon Ospreys can win this on the board, but I’m happy to settle for what I think is a very generous (+7.5) handicap.
Saturday 13 April
Clermont 42/100 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 2/1 (13:30)
Handicap
Clermont (-5.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+5.5) 17/20
Clermont were made to work hard for their 27-22 round of 16 victory over the Cheetahs and, if Ulster’s performance in their 40-17 win in Montpellier is anything to go by, Saturday’s matchup should be another proper test. One would think the Marcel Michelin faithful could be a deciding factor, but Clermont have been far from their best this season, lying 11th in the Top 14, and it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect.
Ulster were unreal in their demolition job of Montpellier and are rewarded for their efforts with this showdown in Clermont-Ferrand. A second consecutive win in France would be an incredible achievement for a coachless side, but it’s just too unlikely they will repeat their heroics of a week ago.
Verdict: Clermont (-5.5) 17/20
Putting in big back-to-back shifts in France is difficult at the best of times. I expect Ulster to go down here.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 2/7 | Draw 25/1 | Edinburgh 29/10 (13:30)
Handicap
Hollywoodbets Sharks (-8.5) 17/20 | Edinburgh (+8.5) 17/20
The Sharks dispatched of Edinburgh 23-13 in the URC a fortnight ago and should replicate that performance in Durban on Saturday. John Plumtree’s boys are fresh off their walkover victory against Zebre and should overpower the visitors’ pack once more to keep alive their hopes of silverware this season.
Edinburgh have more big guns back than they did at the end of March and will be wiser to what the men in black and white can throw at them this weekend. It’s difficult seeing the Scottish outfit competing with a Sharks side hitting their stride, but they should finish within the handicap.
Verdict: Edinburgh (+8.5) 17/20
At almost full strength and cooler conditions expected in Durban on Saturday, Edinburgh should just about stay within the handicap.
Benetton 6/10 | Draw 21/1 | Connacht 29/20 (13:30)
Handicap
Bentton (-3.5) 17/20 | Connacht (+3.5) 17/20
Another all-URC affair, Benetton come off the back of a 10-point defeat of the Lions at the Stadio Comunale and will this week aim for a repeat of their 18-14 win over Connacht at the same venue just two weeks ago. Marco Bortolami’s charges will take heart from the fact that they triumphed at this stage last season and will back themselves to get the job done a second time.
Connacht beat Pau 40-30 away to reach the last eight and will be throwing the kitchen sink at the hosts here. Theirs is a tenacious squad without much to lose who will be desperate to take the game as far as they can. It’ll be another tight one, but the hosts should edge it.
Verdict: Benetton (-3.5) 17/20
The Italians should be too good at home. Back them to clear a modest handicap here.
