Champions Cup Friday and Saturday preview

The ultimate weekend of the Champions Cup pool stage guarantees an thrilling spherical of matches, shaping the future of groups vying for spots within the knockout levels.

As the highest 4 groups from every pool enter the final 16 and fifth place drops into the Problem Cup, the stakes are excessive with every thing nonetheless to play for.

The 4 pool winners are poised to take pleasure in dwelling benefit within the final 16 and quarter-final, with the highest two remaining seeds securing the privilege of enjoying in their very own nation within the semi-finals.

The importance of dwelling benefit was evident final season, the place each final 16, quarter-final, and semi-final match was received by the group with dwelling benefit, and this weekend is pivotal in shaping the match, promising dramatic acwtion throughout 9 video games on Friday and Saturday.

Matthew Luddington supplies a preview of the upcoming fixtures.

Friday

In Galway at 8pm, winless Connacht face Bristol, aiming to leapfrog their adversaries and safe not less than a Problem Cup spot. Bristol know {that a} wholesome victory is important for his or her hopes, as they should match or higher Saracens’ outcome in opposition to Lyon on Saturday to qualify.

Glasgow suffered an agonising defeat to Exeter final week after Euan Ferrie’s final gasp strive was disallowed for offside, however buoyed by fervent assist at Scotstoun Stadium face Toulon at 8pm, figuring out a victory will clinch a final 16 place.

Toulon stay winless after three video games, however the three-time champions can put themselves in competition to qualify with a win right here, and with a facet stuffed with match winners, can’t be written off. 

Saturday

Harlequins secured their qualification final week with a formidable eight-try win in Cardiff, and now confront Ulster at The Stoop at 1pm, eyeing a bonus-point win to exert strain on Bathtub for second spot within the pool.

Ulster want a win to ensure their development, however shall be assured having overwhelmed Harlequins in all of their six encounters.

The Bulls have been extremely spectacular in opposition to Bristol and return to Pretoria for an electrifying conflict in opposition to Bordeaux at 1pm. The French facet have picked up an ideal 15 factors and routed Saracens 55-15 final week in one of the vital spectacular shows of the match.

Racing 92 stay winless however can nonetheless qualify for the final 16 with a victory in opposition to Cardiff at 3pm if Ulster fail to beat Harlequins.

Stuart Lancaster’s star-studded facet will wish to placed on a present in Paris in entrance of their followers, however Cardiff shall be seeking to spoil the celebration and hold their very own European season alive. 

Leicester, after a troublesome loss in opposition to La Rochelle, face Leinster at 3pm, in a blockbuster conflict between two giants of European Rugby. Leicester have by no means overwhelmed Leinster, however shall be eyeing victory right here to indicate they’ll beat the most effective sides in Europe, while Leinster have their sights on a high seed for the knockout stage.

Munster, buoyed by a sensational victory in Toulon, face Northampton at 5:30pm at Thormond Park, and shall be stuffed with confidence having overwhelmed the Saints of their final six encounters. Northampton are a unique beast this yr nonetheless, and having routed Bayonne of their final sport they know victory right here would safe a high seed.

Stade Francais can’t qualify for the final 16 however can nonetheless attain The Problem Cup and face The Stormers at 5.30pm on the Stade Jean-Bouin. The Stormers know victory in Paris is important to safe a house final 16 match in Cape City. 

Saracens suffered their heaviest ever defeat in Europe to Bordeaux final week, and face Lyon at 8pm on the StoneX Stadium, aiming to safe a final 16 spot. Saracens will know what outcome they require to qualify based mostly on the end result of Connacht vs Bristol on Friday night, and the three-time champions have to rediscover their identification quick in opposition to a harmful Lyon facet who can safe a house final 16 tie with victory in North London.

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