Friday, 5 December 2014

05-12-14 European champions cup

Friday 5th December 2014

EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP - POOL 4

MONPELLIER V BATH   19:45


 







Sam Burgess could make his European Champions Cup debut for Bath - but will start from the bench against Montpellier on Friday night. Burgess, 25, who has crossed codes from Rugby League, made his first Union appearance as a second-half substitute in Bath's 25-6 Premiership victory over Harlequins last weekend.

England backs George Ford and Anthony Watson return to the starting line-up.
 
Montpellier, currently mid-way up the French Top 14 table, are also looking for their first win in Europe this season after narrow defeats at home to Glasgow and away at Toulouse.

Teams
Bath: Anthony Watson, Horacio Agulla, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Matt Banahan, George Ford, Chris Cook, Nick Auterac, Ross Batty, Henry Thomas, Stuart Hooper (capt), Dominic Day, David Sisi, Carl Fearns, Leroy Houston. Replacements: Rob Webber, Paul James, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Peter Stringer, Ollie Devoto, Sam Burgess
 
Montpellier: Yvan Watremez, Thomas Bianchin, Patric Cilliers, Robins Tchale-Watchou, Thibaut Privat (capt), Antoine Battut, Kelian Galletier, Alex Tulou, Benoit Paillaugue, Enzo Selponi, Lucas Dupont, Wynand Olivier, Rene Ranger, Yohann Artru, Benjamin Fall. Replacements: Charles Geli, Na'ama Leleimalefaga, David Attoub, Tom Donnelly, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Teddy Iribaren, Jonathan Pelissie, Benoit Sicart

My Analysis

I see this match going to Montpellier but not by that much. I think that Bath's defeat means that they will not have confidence going to France today and that is sometimes when they can destroy a team.  



Sunday 7th December


TOLOUSE V GLASGOW     15:15

 







My Analysis

This will be Glasgow’s day as they are improving but to be considered one of the best teams in Europe this is a match that they must both learn from and win. Glasgow are a different beast this season to other seasons and I feel that this will be their day.  

Pool 4 table

Team
Played
Won  
Lost
Bonus point
For
Against
Points
Glasgow
2
2
0
1
52
23
9
Toulouse
2
2
0
0
51
42
8
Monpellier
2
0
2
2
36
45
2
Bath
2
0
2
1
29
58
1




Saturday 6th December 2014
 

EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP - POOL 1

SALE V SARACENS        13:00
 



 



My Analysis
 
This is a very close match that can and will be won by a lick of a ball or getting the right catch as the ball is put down. As Saracens are doing better in the Premiership I will go for them but I am not that certain.

 
MUNSTER V CLERMONT AUVERGNE 17:30

 





 


My Analysis
 
Munster have got  a habit of winning this type of match and again, looking at the circumstances, I see this as the type of match that Munster can and should win. I feel that Clermont like all French opponents are dangerous and should be respected as dangerous but that Muster can control this match to win it. 

Pool 1 table
 
Team
Played
Won
Lost
Bonus Point
For
Against
Points
Munster
2
2
0
0
48
25
8
Clermont
2
1
1
2
58
33
6
Saracens
2
1
1
1
33
37
5
Sale
2
0
2
1
29
62
1




EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP - POOL 3

ULSTER V SCARLETS     19:45







 


My Analysis
 
Ulster have had a bad season  but still hold onto slim hopes of being able to reach the Quarter finals of the European Champions Cup.  To do that they must beat Scarlets both home and away and in my opinion, they must get 5 points from this game. They know how to get 5 points from a game which means that they must attack and, in a match earlier with Scarlets, they drew which was incredible. I will be there!



Sunday 7th December

LEICESTER V TOULON 17:30



 






My Analysis

This match is so important to both sides as it will decide the fate of the group who will take control of it.   I see this as a win for Toloun but not by as much as most think as I believe that they are the best rugby side in Europe.  I think that they have got the skill to get out of the situations that they might be in

Pool 3 table

Team
Played
Won
Lost
Bonus Point
For
Against
Points
Toulon
2
2
0
0
51
31
8
Scarlet’s
2
1
1
0
33
31
4
Leicester
2
1
1
0
28
33
4
Ulster
2
0
2
1
31
48
1




Saturday December 6th


 
EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP - POOL 5

TREVISO V NORTHAMPTON           13:00


 
 






My Analysis

If Northampton do not win this match and win it well, they will consider this a huge disappointment but Treviso have done well at home this season.  I think that this is a match where if, Northampton control the ball, they will destroy Treviso but if Treviso give enough of it they will be able to get possibly a bonus point. I cannot see any scenario where Treviso win but Treviso could definitely scare Northampton.



OSPREYS V RACING METRO 15:15









My Analysis

I feel that Racing should win this match very comfortably on Saturday.  I believe that they have the best boot in the tournament, Jonathan Sexton, and around him some pure quality players. I think that Ospreys will commit some big mistakes that will be the difference between winning and losing the match.
 
Pool 5 table
 
Team
Played
Won
Lost
Bonus point
For
Against
Points
Racing
2
2
0
0
46
21
8
Northampton
2
1
1
1
45
26
5
Ospreys
2
1
1
1
48
41
5
Treviso
2
0
0
0
17
68
0



 

Sunday 7th December 2014
 

EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP - POOL 2

CASTRES V WASPS       13:00

 
 






My Analysis

I cannot see Wasps winning this match mainly because it is in France and the French at home are very difficult to beat. I think that Castres are up for one good win in this competition, like all French clubs are, and I feel that Wasps will find it one of their hardest matches of the year.


HARLEQUINS V LEINSTER      15:15









My Analysis

Leinster is one of the teams that you would look at for the European Champions Cup.  At the start of this season, Leinster have found it tough as they have not found the form that is needed to win these types of matches.  Now they are back to their old ways and knowing the winner takes control of the group, I feel that Leinster will win but not by much.

Pool 2 table

Team
Played
Won
Lost
Bonus point
For
Against
Points
Harlequins
2
2
0
0
48
25
8
Leinster
2
2
0
0
46
36
8
Wasps
2
0
2
2
36
48
2
Castres
2
0
2
1
25
46
1

          

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