Shaun Goosen previews the opening round of the 21/22 Challenge Cup which sees Saracens host Edinburgh, Dragons travel to Perpignan and more!
All betting TBA.
Friday 10 December
Newcastle Falcons v Worcester Warriors (18:00)
Just a single point separates the Falcons (20) from the Warriors (19) on the Gallagher Premiership table after 10 rounds. Newcastle have played nine and won four, while Worcester are three from 10 with neither side exactly challenging for the championship itself. There’s very little to separate the sides — they played out a 24-all draw at this venue just three weeks ago — but the hosts should take it here.
Lyon v Gloucester (19:00
During last season’s Champions Cup, Lyon thumped Gloucester 55-10 and will be looking for more of the same here. The Top 14 side sit fourth in France with six wins from 12 but should be wary of a Cherry and Whites team that has already come on in leaps and bounds this season. Still, the quality in this Lyon team may be too much to resist for George Skivington’s men and they should ultimately go down, especially with the French side playing at home.
Saturday 11 December
Zebre v Biarritz (12:00)
Two teams sitting at the bottom of their respective leagues. The Italian side are winless in the URC with just one point from five matches while Biarritz are four from 12 in the Top 14, level on points (18) with Perpignan. Probably one to avoid, but I reckon a small strike on the hosts to come out fighting to claim an upset win here. Especially when you consider how badly French sides tend to travel.
Saracens v Edinburgh (13:15)
Sarries have picked up where they left off on their return to the Prem, winning six from nine and sitting second overall. In the URC, Edinburgh have been mighty impressive themselves, also occupying second place with just one loss from seven. The sides have met twice before in the Champions Cup, with the Londoners winning both with an aggregated score of 85-7. They will add to that record on Saturday.
Perpignan v Dragons (16:30)
Perpignan are 13th in the Top 14 and will be eager to put themselves in a position to claim Challenge Cup silverware this season. The Dragons are 13th in the URC despite losing six games from seven and will be up against it this weekend. The hosts have too much quality on show.
Pau v London Irish (19:00)
Pau are ninth in the Top 14 and will be hungry for victory coming off the back of a 16-all draw with Toulon and having last tasted a W in early November. The Exiles, who have enjoyed a promising Premiership start so far, will be keen to take them on though and could steal a result here.
