WEEKEND GUIDE TO THE CHAMPIONS CUP
POOL ONE SARACENS v ULSTER
TODAY: 3.15pm LIVE BT Sport Europe
SARACENS are unbeaten and on track to be the top seeds for the last eight. They face an Ulster side who can still go through as one of the best-second finishers. The English league leaders boast seven of Eddie Jones’s England picks with Maro Itoje and Chris Ashton (right) starting. For Ulster, Ireland international Jared Payne will come in — as one of seven changes — for his first appearance since he broke his foot during the 2015 World Cup. PREDICTION: Home win
POOL TWO BORDEAUX v EXETER
TODAY: 1pm LIVE Sky Sports 5
A MUST-WIN for Exeter if they are to qualify for the knockouts, yet director of rugby Rob Baxter has rotated his squad — only two surviving from the win over Gloucester. Italian international Michele Campagnaro will look to provide impetus in midfield. ‘It’s still a very strong side,’ said Baxter. ‘I want these players to stand up and be counted and force their way into the reckoning, not just for next week, but
for the weeks that follow.’
PREDICTION: Away win
POOL THREE
RACING 92 v SCARLETS
TOMORROW: 1pm LIVE Sky Sports 5
A WIN for Racing will see them top the group. Interestingly, Dan Carter is moved to 12 with Remi Tales at fly-half. Glasgow and Northampton will hope Scarlets can take an unlikely win.
PREDICTION: Home win
N’HAMPTON v GLASGOW
TOMORROW: 5.30pm LIVE BT Sport Europe
ONLY one team can be dumped out of Europe tomorrow — Glasgow. Dylan Hartley can do his England captaincy credentials a world of good; it’s up to the Scots to spoil his party.
PREDICTION: Home win
POOL FOUR MUNSTER v ST FRANCAIS
TODAY: 1pm LIVE Sky Sports 3
TIME for Munster to save face after a dreadful campaign. Simon Zebo and Conor Murray feature. The Parisians can put themselves in prime position to be one of the best-second qualifiers with a win.
PREDICTION: Home win
LEICESTER v TREVISO
TODAY: 7.45pm LIVE BT Sport Europe
THE whipping boys of Europe travel to Welford Road and Leicester will top the group with a win. Tom Youngs, discarded by Eddie Jones, will look to prove a point from hooker.
PREDICTION: Home win
POOL FIVE
TOULON v WASPS
TOMORROW: 3.15pm LIVE BT Sport Europe THREE-TIME champions Toulon could be close to out if results go against them. A Wasps win against a side featuring Ma’a Nonu, Bryan Habana and Drew Mitchell would be one of their great European triumphs.
PREDICTION: Home win
LEINSTER v BATH
TODAY: 5.30pm LIVE Sky Sports 3
AFTER a good display in defeat at Toulon last week, Bath must win in Dublin. Rejected England pair Rob Webber and David Wilson start. The Irish are already out and Bath will be too with defeat.
PREDICTION: Home win