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PREVIEW: Cheetahs in Toulon while Lions host Racing 92 in Challenge Cup Round of 16

The Cheetahs travel to the Stade Mayol to tackle Toulon and the Lions welcome Racing 92 to Emirates Airline Park in the Challenge Cup round of 16 on the weekend.
Fred Porcu/ BackpagePix

The Cheetahs travel to the Stade Mayol to tackle Toulon and the Lions welcome Racing 92 to Emirates Airline Park in the Challenge Cup round of 16 on the weekend.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

All Betting TBA

Friday 31 March

Bristol Bears | Draw | Clermont Auvergne

Handicap
Bristol | Clermont

Bears’ impressive five-game winning run in the Premiership was ended at Welford Road last weekend, with the side’s semi-final hopes now effectively out of reach. They’re still alive in Europe though, and if they can translate their great recent form into their matchup here they can keep alive their hopes of winning a second Challenge Cup crown following their 2020 triumph.

2019 winners Clermont have struggled for consistency this season, having dropped down from the Champions Cup for their Friday’s tie and occupying 10th on the Top 14. Considering their fluctuating form and the traditional performances of French sides on the road, it’s tough seeing them get over the line here.

Bristol to clear the handicap.

Scarlets | Draw | Brive

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Scarlets | Brive

Following their pretty ordinary start to the season, Scarlets’ recent form has been fantastic. Of their eight matches so far in 2023, they’ve won seven and could be dark horses in the fight for Challenge Cup honours come May, having finished top of Pool B with four wins from four.

Brive are stranded nine-points off their nearest competitors in the Top 14, with relegation to the Pro D2 now surely just a matter of time. Given their level of confidence and ability, they won’t challenge Scarlets at home.

The hosts on the minus.

Saturday 1 April

Toulon | Draw | Cheetahs

Handicap
Toulon | Cheetahs

Toulon are sixth in the Top 14 with a 12-9 record, but they’re four from four in the Challenge Cup after putting in some eye-catching displays in the pool stages. They topped Pool A and will be difficult to stop at the Mayol here – even without the injured Cheslin Kolbe.

After winning two of their four games in the competition to finish sixth in Pool B, the Cheetahs will make the daunting trip to the south of France for this one. They’ve been good in the Currie Cup, winning all three of their matches so far to top the log, but will be hampered on Saturday by the absence of Frans Steyn, who picked up a knock to the knee against the Blue Bulls.

Toulon should have no problem clearing the handicap at the Mayol.

Stade Francais | Draw | Lyon

Handicap
Stade | Lyon

Stade are third on the Top 14 and look likely to be a main contender come the playoffs. They managed a fourth-place finish in Pool B of the Challenge Cup but will have home ground advantage for this one. They come up against the side one point and place below them on the domestic front, making this a particularly tasty prospect.

Defending champs Lyon would feel disappointed at having dropped out of the Champions Cup running after winning just one of their four games, but they now have the chance to go on and replicate their success of last season. They’ll face stiff opposition in Stade, though they could just about have enough.

Lyon to win within the handicap.

Benetton | Draw | Connacht

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Benetton | Connacht

Benetton have had a great season by their standards, sitting just one place and one-point off the top eight in the URC with two games to go. They’ll look to push hard in Europe too, but will find the going tough coming up against a Connacht outfit in mean form.

The Irish side are enjoying a real purple patch of late, having won their last four on the trot to rise to sixth in the URC. While Benetton are always a different prospect at the Stadio Communale, Connacht could sneak it here.

Narrow Connacht win.

Glasgow Warriors | Draw | Dragons

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Glasgow | Dragons

Glasgow have been one of the standout teams in Europe this season, sitting fourth in the URC and having won 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Among the various teams remaining in the Challenge Cup, they should be right up there with the tournament favourites.

Dragons are 15th in the URC and head into this one off the back of five straight losses. Having copped a 28-42 home defeat to Warriors as recently as January, they don’t seem likely to challenge them on this occasion either.

Glasgow to clear the handicap.

Lions | Draw | Racing 92

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Lions | Racing 92

The Lions have a tough task on their hands looking to overturn French giants Racing. Playing at altitude will definitely give them an advantage, and it remains to be seen just how many of the visitors’ A-listers will make the trip to the Republic, but there’s no denying that It will be an uphill battle for the Pride.

Racing are well in the fight for the Top 14, sitting seventh albeit on a typically closely contested log. Just which players they decide will compete here will have a massive bearing on the result, but it’s likely they will get the job done regardless of who they send over.

Racing should claim a narrow win.

Cardiff | Draw | Sale Sharks

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Cardiff | Sale

Cardiff will be eager to capitalise on home ground advantage here, but must face formidable opponents in Sale. The men from the Welsh capital, two-time winners of the competition, will need to front up physically to deny one of the most robust club sides in Europe.

Sale, second on the Gallagher Premiership standings, are enjoying a memorable campaign and will be eager to push hard for silverware as the season approaches its climax. They should have Cardiff’s number here.

Sale on the minus.

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