The second round of the European Rugby Champions Cup sees the Hollywoodbets Sharks face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, the Bulls at home to English champions Northampton Saints and a knackered Stormers outfit taking on Harlequins at the Stoop. Shaun Goosen previews.
Saturday 14 December
Bulls v Northampton
The Bulls were always going to struggle against Saracens at a wet StoneX Stadium in the first round, but the two-time URC runners-up should be much improved (and definitely not lacking in motivation) when Northampton arrive at Loftus this weekend. It was Phil Dowson’s soon-to-be English Champions that blew the Bulls away 59-22 at Franklin’s Gardens in last season’s quarter-final, though it must be said that Jake White had opted to rest his A-listers for that clash with an eye on going the distance in the URC.
Things should be very different this weekend though, with Saints having fallen far off their performance level of last season. They demolished a second-string Castres outfit 38-8 at home last week but are unlikely to win in Pretoria here given what we’ve seen from them so far.
Verdict: Bulls on the minus
The Bulls to hit Northampton hard at Loftus. I’m looking at the South African side to clear anything in the region of 10.5 points.
Leicester Tigers v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Tigers began their European campaign with a 42-28 defeat at Bordeaux in a match that mostly featured Michael Cheika’s second-stringers. They’ll have the big guns back for this one however, with players like Handre Pollard, Julian Montoya and Tommy Reffell all set to return to the starting XV. With so many superstars rested and ready, it’s hard seeing them being stopped in front of the Welford Road faithful will be difficult.
The Durbanites have stitched together an impressive run of four straight wins recently, but there is still a sense the team is yet to truly hit its stride this season. There was plenty to like in their round one win over Exeter, but heading into this clash without Lukhanyo Am, Vincent Tshituka, Eben Etzebeth, James Venter or Vincent Koch makes their task even more daunting.
Verdict: Sharks on the plus
The visitors have more than enough quality in their ranks to claim a losing bonus point at the home of the two-time winners. Back the Durbanites to remain within around 7.5 of their hosts.
Harlequins v Stormers (22:00)
‘Quins have blown hot and cold again this term and were bested 23-12 by Racing 92 in Paris last week. In many ways, they have been dealt a lucky hand here in the form of the depleted Stormers, who should realistically be brushed aside with ease at the Stoop.
If John Dobson had any hair left going into the new season, he would surely have pulled it all out by now given the ridiculous injury list with which he’s had to contend. It’s no stretch to say that the Capetonians have endured a Manchester City-level injury crisis at DHL Stadium, and the effects showed again during last week’s dismal 14-24 home defeat to Toulon.
Verdict: Quins on the minus
The hosts to take full advantage of a depleted Stormers outfit on Saturday. I’m looking at the Londoners to clear around 14.5 points.
Sunday 15 December
Toulon | Draw | Glasgow Warriors (17:15)
Toulon’s Champions Cup campaign was given a tremendous boost after their round one win in Cape Town and following that up with another would put them on a great trajectory to the knockouts. They’ve been solid enough in the Top 14, sitting fifth with five wins from nine, and should have enough quality and experience to just about hold off the dogged Glaswegians here.
Ever-ambitious URC champions punished Sale Sharks 38-19 at the Scotstoun a week ago as they look to go deep into the Champions Cup this term. They were buoyed by the performance of George Horne, who grabbed at a hattrick against the Mancunians, but victory will require a major step up from Franco Smith’s side.
Verdict: Glasgow on the plus
It’s always tough heading to France, but the Warriors should go down fighting at the Stade Mayol. They should be able to stay within a 10.5 points of their hosts.
Quickfire picks
- Sale v Racing 92 = Sale on the board
- Castres v Munster = Munster on the board
- Ulster v Bordeaux = Ulster on the board
- Leinster v Clermont = Leinster on the minus
- La Rochelle v Bristol = La Rochelle on the minus
- Stade Francais v Saracens = Stade Francais on the board
- Benetton v Bath = Bath on the board
- Exeter v Toulouse = Toulouse on the minus
