european rugby predictions 01-05-15

EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP

EDINBURGH V GLOSTER

Edinburgh welcome full-back Greig Tonks back into their side for the European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester.

He is one of two changes made by head coach Alan Solomons, who also brings Cornell Du Preez in at flanker.

Greig Laidlaw, who was one of a number of players rested for Gloucester's Premiership fixture against Newcastle, returns to face his former club.

Billy Twelvetrees captains the Cherry and Whites, while Richard Hibbard and James Hook also come back in.

Gloucester, appearing in their first European Challenge Cup final since 2006, overcame Exeter Chiefs in the last four at Kingsholm.

Edinburgh: Tonks; Fife, Beard, Strauss, Visser; Burleigh, Hidalgo-Clyne; Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Bresler, Toolis, Coman, Grant, Du Preez.

Replacements: McInally, Sutherland, Andress, McKenzie, Watson, Fowles, Heathcote, Brown.

Gloucester: Sharples; May, Meakes, Twelvetrees (capt), Purdy; Hook, Laidlaw; Wood, Hibbard, Afoa, Savage, Palmer, Moriarty, Kvesic, Evans.

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Thomas, Puafisi, Galarza, Rowan, Robson, Burns, McColl.

MY PREDICTION

I feel that Gloster are a stronger team than Edinburgh and I feel that they should be able to control and dominate this game winning by about 15 points as I think that the Avica Premiership is a much stronger league than the pro 12.

TOULON V CLERMONT

Fears are growing that this weekend’s European Champions Cup final will see Twickenham half-full when two-time champions aim to seal a hat-trick against Clermont Auvergne, leading to free tickets being given away for the European showcase match.

Only 8,000 supporters are expected to travel across the Channel to support the French clubs, and organisers European Professional Club Rugby fear that up to 40,000 seats could be left empty during Saturday’s match. Toulon have already returned 40% of their ticket allocation, while Clermont were awarded just 5,000 tickets for the final – just 16.4% of the 82,000-capacity at Twickenham.

The prospect of two French teams in a European final based in London hasn't helped, and had Saracens or Leinster made it through the semi-finals, interest was likely to be significantly increased.

MY PREDICTION

I feel that Toulon are much the better side as they have got the better team and are on top of the table and are playing to be 3 times champions while Clermount are not in the European final on a more consistent basis. I feel that Toulon will win this by 8