Champions Cup action continues this week with some more mouth-watering matchups in store with the Stormers hosting the reigning champs and the Bulls away in Lyon. Shaun Goosen previews.
Saturday 16 December
Stormers 52/100 | Draw 20/1 | La Rochelle 16/10 (15:00)
Handicap
Stormers (-4.5) 17/20 | La Rochelle (+4.5) 17/20
A weakened Stormers went down 26-35 to Tigers at Welford Road in their opener last week but will be looking to make home-ground advantage count against current back-to-back champions La Rochelle here. Last season’s URC runners-up have the squad depth and experience to go deep into the competition but to do that winning games at home must be a non-negotiable, even against Top 14 juggernauts like Les Maritimes.
Ronan O’Gara’s boys fell to a disappointing 9-16 home defeat to Leinster in a rematch of the previous two Champions Cup finals which has definitely set them back. While it remains to be seen just how many frontline players will make the trip to the Mother City, whatever side is picked will still be competitive enough to grab a losing bonus point at the very least.
Verdict: La Rochelle (+4.5) 17/20
ROG and his charges should bring the fight to Cape Town, though a win should just be out of reach.
Lyon 27/100 | Draw 21/1 | Bulls 29/10 (19:30)
Handicap
Lyon (-8.5) 17/20 | Bulls (+8.5) 17/20
Lyon fell to Bears by just two points in a 34-36 thriller at Ashton Gate in round one. Despite that loss, the Top 14 outfit showed enormous stones to come back from 33-15 down and even take the lead before Callum Sheedy’s 85th-minute winning drop goal. Back at the Matmut for this one, you’d would think Fabien Gengenbacher will have enough resources at his disposal to hold off the in-form Bulls.
The visitors have won their last three in all comps and last week put full-strength Saracens to the sword in a comfortable 27-16 win at Loftus. That said, playing in France is always a unique challenge and one that could be a step too far for this group of players.
Verdict: Bulls (+8.5) 17/20
While it should be another close call, Lyon could edge it.
Ulster 92/100 | Draw 20/1 | Racing 19/20 (22:00)
Ulster fell 14-37 to Bath at The Rec last week and must see off the Top 14 table-toppers here to keep alive their European dream. The Kingspan faithful should definitely give them a lift in this regard, though Racing’s forwards might will give them problems at set piece time as well as in the collisions.
The Parisians played some fantastic footy against Harlequins last week before ultimately succumbing to a frustrating three-point defeat at La Defense Arena. They’ll be aching to bounce back on Saturday and may just condemn the hosts to another loss.
Verdict: Racing 19/20
Get on the French club to cause some chaos in Belfast and grab the win.
Sunday 17 December
Harlequins 21/20 | Draw 20/1 | Toulouse 83/100 (17:15)
Harlequins earned the best result of their season so far in their 31-28 win at Racing 92 in round one, with that performance sure to spur them on as their campaign progresses. Tabai Matson’s charges were 17-28 down heading into the final quarter before two tries in the space of five-minutes put them into a lead from which they didn’t look back.
Toulouse will arrive at The Stoop in indifferent form despite seeing off Cardiff 52-7 at the Ernest-Wallon last week. The reigning Top 14 champions currently occupy sixth after some haphazard performances, and they may meet their match in London given how ‘Quins are playing at present.
Verdict: Quins at 21/20
At 21/20, Quins are good value.
Quickfire predictions
- Bayonne v Glasgow Verdict: Bayonne
- Northampton v Toulon: Northampton
- Saracens v Connacht: Saracens
- Leinster v Sale: Leinster
- Bordeaux v Bristol: Bordeaux
- Cardiff v Bath: Bath
- Stade Francais v Leicester: Stade
- Exeter v Munster: Exeter
