European Rugby predictions quarter finals 02-04-15

This is the start of the real stages of European Rugby when things get interesting  and I will tell you who I think will win each match and positions in the table as I do not think there is not too much else to go on. I did decide to look at the players but was not sure about players playing in France so I decided to leave it as the french league sometimes can just be its own little world purely on that I dont even know sometimes what to base something on 

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER FINALS

SATURDAY

LEINSTER (Ire) V BATH (Eng) 15.15

These 2 sides are kind of even but there has always been a thing between the Irish sides and the European Champions cup. Bath is sitting third in the Premiership while Leinster is fifth in the Pro12. Leinster have got the experience of Ireland international  and Sam Burges  I cannot see this match being controlled by one side or the other but I feel that Leinster will have too much experience at the end of the match.

CLERMONT AUVERNE (Fra) V NORTHAMPTON (Eng) 17.45

Northampton top of the Premiership with players while Clermont are second in the top 14 . This is definitely the match of the week where we will be able to see who the best league in Europe is and this is a match that I would not want to predict as I think that it could be won by the bounce of a ball or a difficult kick. I will go Clermont purely because they are at home

  

SUNDAY

RACING METRO (Fra) V SARACENS (Eng) 12.45

Saracens second in the Premiership while racing are 4^th in the top 14. I see this match as your away win purely to do with form and the fact of what they are playing for and confidence will be a big deal in this match  

TOULON (Fra) v LONDON WASPS (Eng)

Wasps are in 6^th in the Premiership while Toulon is top of the top 14 based on head to head with Clermont. I cannot see this go any other way than a win for Toulon as I think that they are much the better side. I think that this is about numbers winning by 10 or 15 points rather than the win   

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP

FRIDAY

GLOSTER (Eng) V CONNACHT (Ire) 19.45

Gloster are 9^th in the premiership Connacht are 6^th in the Pro 12. Purely because of this I think that this is a match that Connacht can win but they will never be able to control the match as it is at home for Gloster but with David Humphries in charge who is known as a big player in Irish sporting history which means he knows Irish Rugby so well so I have to go with my heart here.   

SATURDAY

DRAGONS (Wal) v CARDIFF BLUES (Wal) 12.45

Dragons are 9^th in the Pro 12 while the Cardiff Blues are 10^th in the Pro 12 there is nothing between these two teams and this feels like a tie that could change either teams season  

EXETER(eng) V NEWCASTLE(Eng)20.00

Exeter is fifth in the Premiership and Newcastle is 11^th in the Premiership. This should be a win for Exeter not just the win but by how much but purely because I have got family there I would like to see Newcastle win as it might get them of second bottom  

SUNDAY

LONDON IRISH(Eng)  V EDINBURGH(Sco) 17.45

London Irish are 10^th in the premiership Edinburgh are 7^th in the Pro 12. Irish are not doing that well in England but I feel that home advantage might be enough to put them over the line but I would not be certain enough to say one or the other. I will go Edinburgh  

SHORT OPINION

I do find it a little bit strange that there are no French sides in the Challenge cup and I do think that I was disapointerd that only Leinster qualified for the quarter finals  of the champions cup from the Pro 12