Rugby connoisseurs in for a treat with two pools

The weekend’s two Rugby 5 pools offer a feast for the oval ball connoisseur.

Pool 1 is an all-Northern Hemisphere affair and kicks off with the clash between Bath and Toulouse.

Bath lost their last two games – against Exeter and Saracens. But Springbok flanker Francois Louw returns, which will be a major boost against Toulouse.

The French club narrowly beat Agen 10-0 after two successive defeats against Montpellier and Castres.

Northampton host Clermont in Match 2. Clermont’s credentials on the road will come under scrutiny, especially after away defeats to Bordeaux-Begles and La Rochelle. Northampton has won just two of their six matches this season.

Exeter face Munster in Match 3. Exeter are unbeaten in the Premiership with six straight wins, but now have to prove themselves in the Champions Cup. Munster’s form has been inconsistent with three wins from six clashes.

In Match 4 Scarlets host Racing 92. Four wins from six matches suggest Scarlets should get the job done. But in Racing they face opposition that have won away from home twice this season.

The pool closes with Glasgow’s clash with Saracens. Glasgow’s only defeat this season was against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth. They rested nine players for that clash and paid the price. Unbeaten Saracens are a champion side and start slight favourites.

The second pool features some Currie Cup action with the first match the encounter between Griquas and the Sharks.

Griquas have won just once this season and that was at home against the hapless Free State XV. The Sharks suffered a humbling defeat away to Western Province in their last clash and will look for a better performance in defence this week.

In Match 2 Harlequins host Agen. Harlequins’ results have been underwhelming this season, but in Agen they may have obliging visitors and should overwhelm the French team.

Match 3 is the annual North-South battle between the Blue Bulls and Western Province. The Blue Bulls are third on the points table and will almost surely relinquish that position to the Golden Lions if they lose to Western Province. The visitors have been unbeaten this season and look to have one hand on the trophy already. They are likely to triumph in a high-scoring match at Loftus.

Stade Francais face Worcester Warriors in Match 4. Heyneke Meyer’s Stade Francais play a pragmatic brand of rugby, but this weekend may expand their attacking horizons against Worcester, who have won just twice this season.

The final encounter is the match between Toulon and Newcastle Falcons.

Toulon have won just two of their seven matches this season, but may have an opportunity to bask in the Mediterranean sun this weekend against Newcastle. The Falcons have won just one of their six matches, but it is worth noting that they were competitive in most of them.