champions cup rugby 13-1-16

FRIDAY

POOL 4

LEINSTER V MONPELLIER

Leinster: I Nacewa (capt); A Byrne, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, R O'Loughlin; J Sexton, L McGrath; J McGrath, J Tracy, T Furlong; D Toner, H Triggs; J Conan, J van der Flier, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy, M Bent, R Molony, D Leavy, J Gibson-Park, R Byrne, R Kearney.

Montpellier: J Michel; T Nagusa, V Martin, J Tomane, N Nadolo; F Steyn, N White; M Nariashvili, S Mamukashvili, J Du Plessis; P Willemse, K Mikautadze; F Ouedrogo, A Qera (capt), P Spies.

Replacements: C Geli, Y Watremez, D Kubriashvili, A Battut, K Galletier, T O'Leary, H Immelman, J Mogg.

I think that home advantage will be enough here to seal both a win and a spot in the quarter finals for Leinster but would not be that surprised if Monpellier got the bonus point as I think they proved that in France they can compete with anyone

SATURDAY

NORTHAMPTON V CASTRE

I have a feeling that this match will be a bit of a battle as I think that Castre can make a game of this. I think that the win at home could be that drive to push the Saints into third spot and I think that they will want this more for respect than anything else

POOL 1

GLASGOW V MUNSTER

This is a match between the two best sides in the league and you would think that would make this a hard thing to call and that is what I would think also. I think Glasgow will go into this with more a sense of determination which makes me think a bonus point draw could happen in this type of match. A lot of what happens here will depend on how and what Munster are playing for

RACING V LEICESTER

I was very disappointed in Racing last week and I think that Leicester will be able to go down to France and win this match based more on what happened with Racing last week than what I know Leicester can do and if they put in a good performance I would not be surprised if they got the bonus point

POOL 2

CONNACHT V ZEBRE

Connacht must both win and get the bonus point here to stand any realistic hope of reaching the quarter finals. And with players like John Muldoon being able to get them ou8t of a pickle when needed I think that they will do it but I don’t think it will be as easy as they think.

WASPS V TOLUSE

French side typically have a habit of playing poorly away from home and I think this might be what happens here but I cannot see this match not being very close and going back and forth. I think Wasps will be able to get over the line but just barely. A win for Wasps should put them through and I think that will happen

SUNDAY

POOL 3

SCARLET'S V SARACENS

After Scarlet's beating Toulon at home earlier in the competition I do not think that the Scarlet's will be nervous going into this match but I do think that Saracens will be much too strong for 4 them as they are in a different league and there are only a couple of teams who can beat them and they are not in this group

TOLOUN V SALE

Chance for Toulon to show what they are and what they can do again and I think that Toulon will get the bonus point win here and be very happy with themselves. I think that Toulon are much better than what they have shown in this year’s European cup.

POOL 5

BORDEUX V CLERMOUNT

Bordeux are the only team in this group who I think can give Clermount a game and I think that they will for a short period but Clermount will why they have dominated this group as they have the style to beat anyone

EXETER V ULSTER

This feels like an annoying battle where you cannot predict a winner but if Exeter go for it like I know they can I think Ulster will struggle and might find things difficult. But if Paddy Jackson can find his boots and Tommy Bowe is able to find the space then I think Ulster can win this match and that a showdown in Ravinhill.