european champions cup preview

POOL 1

SALE V MUNSTER SAT 1PM

Sale are currently in 10^th in the Aviva Premiership while Muster are currently in fourth but this must be a match that Munster are looking for an away win from as they have that bit of form needed. With players like Connor Murray for Munster and Tom Brady and Danny Ciprani this match could be a lot closer than people think. I can see Munster getting a bonus point but cannot see anyone winning this one by more than 7

SARACENS V CLEMOUNT AUVERNE SAT 5.15PM

Saracens are currently in second place in the Premiership and seem to have some form behind them.. Clemaont Auvergne look on fire so this would be an away match that they feel they must win Clemount having players like Vincent Debaty. Home advantage could suit Saracens here and give them a lift and players like Chis Ashton and Brad Baret I can see this being a very interesting match. No team winning by more than 7  

POOL 2

HARLIQUINS V CASTRE FRI 7.45PM

Harliquins are currently 7^th in the Premiership. Caster are in 12^th so this looks like a match that is a lot more even than people thing but from form you have to look at Harlequin’s. This is the big Friday match so I was able to get a little bit of information about the team. Players like Danny Care and Nick Easter will be very important against French teams. Castre do seem to have a lot of foreign players like Richie Grey from Scotland and Cedric Garcia from Spain but the French players will be the ones that make the difference. I can see a bonus point win here for Harlequins

15. Mike Brown,14. Marland Yarde, 13. Matt Hopper, 12. George Lowe, 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma,10. Nick Evans,9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler©, 2. Dave Ward,  3. Will Collier, 4. Charlie Matthews, 5. George Robson,  6. Luke Wallace 7. Chris Robshaw,  8. Nick Easter

16. Rob Buchanan, 17. Mark Lambert, 18. Kyle Sinckler,  19. Sam Twomey, 20. Joe Trayfoot  21. Karl Dickson, 22. Jordan Turner-Hal,  23. Ollie Lindsay-Hague

LEINSTER V WASPS SAT 5.15PM

Wasps are currently 5^th in the premiership. Leinster are currently 6^th in the pro 12 is this the match that can ignite a season or is this just a home win. This could go anyway.   Leinster have got a lot of players that can change a match like Mile Ross, Sean Cronin a young player Issac Boss and Ian Madagan who all are Ireland internationals. For wasps players like James Haskill and Sam Jones but for me this is a Leinster bonus point win.  

POOL3

LEICESTER V ULSTER SAT 7.45PM

Leicester are currently 8^th in the premiership while Ulster are 3^rd in the pro 12 which means that for me Ulster have got a sense of momentum to their game. With Ulster players like Tommy Bowe and Rory best this match could be interesting  but Leicester have their own stars that can make a difference which include Tom Cole for me this is going to be a close match but I could see it as an Ulster win but not by much.

TOLON V SCARLETS SUN 4.15PM

Scarlet’s are currently 7^th in the pro 12. Tolon are one of the best teams in Europe and sit in second position in the table and must look at this game as a must win away match as the other matches will definitely be a lot more difficult. Tolon have got some stars from all over the world and this is the example of how to use a lot of money. Bringing in Delon Armitage from England and Carl y nan as captain from New Zealand. But they do have their fair share of French stars also. For the Scarlet’s this looks like a scary site as they do not have the best defence. If anyone is going to get this team together it is Aled Davies but I cannot see anything except for a rout for Tolon here a comfortable bonus point win as I cannot see them not scoring early.

These are the matches I will be looking at as they involve Iris team from Ireland so every point counts for this European cup.  As I feel that this year it is so important to get as many Irish teams out of the group and competing at the knockout stag. I do have hope for both Glasgow and Osprey’s but I am not sure how deep they can go . I will try to focus on all groups.