champions and challenge cup draws

These are the draw for the European Champions cup

European Champions Cup quarter-final draw: Clermont Auvergne v Toulon, Leinster v Wasps, Saracens v Glasgow Warriors, Munster v Toulouse.

I think that Leinster v Wasps and Munster vf Tolouse do look like the more interesting ties but Clermount v Toloun is the most interesting tie  

Challenge Cup quarter-final draw: Bath v Brive, Gloucester v Cardiff, Edinburgh v La Rochelle, Ospreys v Stade Francais.

Ospreus  v Stade is to me the most interesting tie of the challenge cup 

POOL 2 EUROPEAN RUGBY MATCH DAY 6

ZEBRE 27-41 WASPS

JOHNSON SHOWS WASPS TO BE A LUCKY CLUB

Zebre, who have won only one game this season and just two in 28 in the last year, dominated the early exchanges and deservedly built a 10-point advantage.

But, after Oliviero Fabiani was sin-binned on 29 minutes, Wasps then ran in three tries before half-time.

Derek Minnie was also carded after the break as Wasps added three more tries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38657283

Wasps have shown in this match that they can get themselves out of a whole and this was definitely a massive one as if they lost this they probably would not be able to go home. I dont know if this tells us anything about Wasps or how good they are.

TOLOUSE 19-10 CONNACHT

CONNEVAL TRY SECURES TOLOSE GET THROUGH

Tries from Gael Fickou, Arthur Bonneval and Joe Tekori helped a dominant Toulouse to a commanding 19-3 lead.

Connacht fought back and John Muldoon's converted try left the visitors just short of a losing bonus point which would have also taken them through

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38668434

So close but yet so far as Connacht had had the chance at a drop goal to get the bonus point and go through but for a club so small as Connacht they must take pride in this as to me it will take a few years without Pat Lam to be where they are now

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	F/A	B/P	Points
Wasps	6	4	1	1	+98	4	22
Tolouse	6	3	1	2	+75	4	18
Connacht	6	4	0	2	+60	2	18
Zebre	6	0	0	6	-221	0	0

POOL 5 EUROPEAN RUGBY MATCH DAY 6

POOL 5

ULSTER 22-26 BORDEUX

HICKEY BOOT WINS POINTLESS GAME

Bordeaux led 20-15 at half-time with Yann Lesgourgues and Marco Tauleigne tries while Andrew Trimble and Franco van der Merwe went over for Ulster.

Darren Cave's converted try put Ulster ahead before two Simon Hickey penalties clinched victory for the visitors.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38690610

Ulster cameto round 5 with hope of reaching the quarters but I would think that this was a thing more of luck first thy lost to the scarlets in what was a play off then Exeter and finally Bordeux I think that they need to fix a lot in the next 3 weeks

CLERMOUNT 48-26 EXETER

YATO SCORES IN 7 TRY PREFORMANCE FOR CLERMOUNT

The Chiefs came into the game needing a bonus point-win to have any chance of a place in the quarter-finals.

But they were left facing an uphill task when they conceded a try after only three minutes as Benjamin Kayser crashed over

Noa Nakaitaci added to Kayser's early effort and Morgan Parra converted both and scored a penalty to leave the home side in control after just 23 minutes.

Worse was to come for Exeter when first Olly Woodburn received a yellow card and conceded a penalty try while trying to stop a Clermont break and then Olly Devoto followed him to the sin-bin.

The home side took advantage of the extra numbers with Wesley Fofana and former European player of the year Nick Abendanon both crossing for tries.

However, France centre Fofana had to be replaced before half-time and was later diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon that will rule him out of the Six Nations.

James Short put the Chiefs on the board at the start of the second half but Clermont responded quickly with tries from Peceli Yato and Alex Lapandry.

Exeter did however find some more momentum as the second half progressed, with Devoto, Woodburn and Michele Campagnaro giving a more respectable look to the score.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38657206

Clermount look on fire at the moment and look to be the one team that right now I would not want to play or beat and I would think that the only team that could beat them would come from France . I think they are ready for anyone

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	F/A	B/P	Points
Clermount	6	5	0	1	+90	6	26
Bordeux	6	3	0	3	-2	2	14
Exeter	6	2	0	4	-36	4	12
Ulster	6	2	0	4	-42	2	10

POOL 3 EUROPEAN RUGBY MATCH DAY 6

SARACENS 10-3 TOULON

ASHTON SECURES SARACES HOMER QUARTER AND TOULON GO THROUGH

The defending European champions ensured their last-eight tie will be in north London with a second-half try from wing Chris Ashton.

Fly-half Owen Farrell converted the try and kicked a penalty.

Toulon's bonus point for a narrow defeat means they also qualify for the knockout stage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/3865714

Toloun have shown themselves to be a powerhouse in getting this bonus point but I would not want to bet against Saracens for the title as they look like they can beat anyone

SALE 25-23 SCARLETS

MC GINTY KICKS SALE TO VICTORY

Sale appeared galvanised and some direct play led to Odogwu going over in the corner in theatrical fashion, with Addison accelerating from close to the halfway line and bursting through a gap to add a second try.

Van der Merwe helped to reduce the deficit when he crossed in the corner and had the presence of mind to touch down under the posts.

Scarlets continued their resurgence in the second half and a maul took them to within inches of line, which Magnus Lund was deemed to have illegally pulled down, for which a penalty try was awarded and the Sale player sent to the sin bin.

A mammoth penalty from the reliable boot of Dan Jones put the Welsh side in front for the first time as Sale felt the pressure of only one win in their last 19 Champions Cup matches.

But the home side rallied and MacGinty held his nerve to slot the decisive penalty between the posts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38657020

Sale had shown in this match that there is potentual there if nothing else as for Scarlets with nothing on the line for them I think that they relaxed as they had played much better against the big 2 earlier in the group

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	f/a	b/p	Points
Saracens	6	5	1	0	+94	2	24
Toulon	6	3	0	3	+20	4	16
Scarlets	6	2	1	3	+13	1	11
Sale	6	1	0	5	-101	0	4

POOL 1 EUROPEAN RUGBY MATCH DAY 6

MUNSTER 22-10 RACING

KEATLEY SECURES HOME QUARTER FOR MUNSTER

The hosts dominated after a sluggish start and Simon Zebo's try helped them to a 7-3 lead at the break.

Munster opened up a 14-point gap with a Tyler Bleyendaal penalty and Ronan O'Mahony's converted try.

Henry Chavancy's converted try gave Racing hope before Ian Keatley touched down to seal the win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38693528

I think that Munster are back to where they were a few years ago when they had the potential to be Champions but an away semi final could harm them if they progress that far in the competition

LEICESTER 0-43 GLASGOW

GRAY SECURES GLASGOW ARE IN 

Tommy Seymour stretched over before Glasgow earned a penalty try, Mark Bennett and Jonny Gray also crossing.

Ryan Wilson and Tim Swinson added further scores, the outstanding Finn Russell adding 13 points with the boot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38656956

This was another disaster result for Leister but Glasgow can dare to dream of winning tournament for the first time in their history and I think that they will not make it easy for anyone going forward.

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	B/P	F/A	Points
Wasps	6	4	1	1	4	+98	22
Tolouse	6	3	1	2	4	+60	18
Connacht	6	4	0	2	2	+70	18
Zebre	6	0	0	6	0	+221	0

POOL 2 FRIDAY EUROPEAN RUGBY MATCH DAY 6

ZEBRE 25-41 WASPS

JOHNSON DOUBLE SECURES WASPS ARE LUCKY

Zebre, who have won only one game this season and just two in 28 in the last year, dominated the early exchanges and deservedly built a 10-point advantage.

But, after Oliviero Fabiani was sin-binned on 29 minutes, Wasps then ran in three tries before half-time.

Derek Minnie was also carded after the break as Wasps added three more tries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38657283

Wasps went into this game in  expectation rather than hope but they must have been a little bit nervous when they went 10-3 down. Though one thing I would say about the coach and his staff he knows how get his team out of a big whole

TOLOUSE 19-10 CONNACHT

TEXORI STOPS IRISH DREAMERS BELIEVEING

Tries from Gael Fickou, Arthur Bonneval and Joe Tekori helped a dominant Toulouse to a commanding 19-3 lead.

Connacht fought back and John Muldoon's converted try left the visitors just short of a losing bonus point which would have also taken them through.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38668434

Connacht knew what it was that they had to do in order to compete for this tittle and we did not see any of that fight until the last part of the match but they had a chance at a drop goal but did not decide to take it and we all know that anything could happen in that situation

Team	Played	Won	Lost	B/p	F/A	Points
Munster	6	5	1	4	104	24
Glasgow	6	4	2	3	74	19
Leicester	6	2	4	0	-129	8
Racing	6	1	5	1	-59	5

european champions cup teams and predictions 20-1-17

FRIDAY

POOL 4

CASTRE V LEINSTER

Leinster: Isa Nacewa (capt), Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O'Loughlin, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Devin Toner, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Mike McCarthy, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Rob Kearney.

Castres: P Berard; J Caminati, A Taumoepeau, F Vialelle, D Smith; J Dumora, A Dupont; A Tichit, B Mach, D Kotze, V Moreaux, R Capo Ortega, Y Caballero, A Bias, S Mafi

Replacements: J Jenneker, M Lazar, D Tussac, L Jacquet, A Jelonch, J Seron, B Urdapilleta, T Combezou

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38679113

I think that Leinster have got the potential to destroy this type of team and I think that they will as they are one of a few teams that can win the European cup from the pro 12

MONPELLIER V NORTHAMPTON

Montpellier: J Michel; T Nagusa, J Tomane, A Dumoulin, N Nadolo; D Catrakilis, N White; M Nariashvili, C Geli, Jannie Du Plessis, P Willemse, K Mikautadze, F Ouedraogo, K Galletier, A Qera (capt)

Replacements: S Mamukashvili, Y Watremez, A Guillamon, Jacques Du Plessis, A Battut, T O'Leary, H Immelman, V Martin

Northampton Saints: A Tuala; JP Estelles, N Tuitavake, H Mallinder, G North; JJ Hanrahan, L Dickson (capt), E Waller, C Clare, P Hill, M Paterson, J Craig, J Gibson, B Nutley, T Harrison

Replacements: J Fish, A Waller, K Brookes, A Ratuniyarawa, L Ludlam, T Kessell, J Wilson, K Pisi

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/38574142

I think that the French side will find this game very tricky but still win it but bgy no more than 7 points

SATURDAY

POOL 1

LEICESTER V GLASGOW

This match I feel could go either way and I think that the fact that Glasgow are playing for something will make a huge difference. I think Glasgow will win but would not be surprised if they get nothing

MUNSTER V  RACING 

I think that home advantage will be the factor between winning and losing this match and I think that Munster will win by about 10 points

POOL 3

SALE V SCARLETS

I think that the Scarlets are a developing side and this will be a banana skin tie for term. I think this will be a battle won by Sale but not by more than 7  

SARACENS V TOLON

This will in my opinion be a match of legend and that type of match normally goes to the team that are better on form and that is why I will give it to Saracens

POOL 5

CLERMOUNT V EXETER

I think that this will be close but Clermount have shown why they are the best at the moment and will get the win to secure a home quarter final

ULSTER V BORDEUX

A match of no importance whatsoever except to see who finishes second in the group I think that Ulster will win this match but not by enough to make any sort of a difference

SUNDAY

POOL 2

TOLOUSE V CONNACHT

I think that Toulouse will win this but Connacht will be able to get within 7 but this match will not be an attacking game and Connacht will get through because of this  

ZEBRE V WASPS

I think that Wasps will have enough here to get the bonus point win they need to make sure of qualification to the quarter finals. I think that they will get the 5 points before half time. I think there is little you can learn from this match