Heineken Champions Cup: Round 3 Predictions

The Heineken Champions Cup returns for Round 3, which is always crucial as teams jostle for position before the knockout stages.

Here are my Heineken Champions Cup Predictions for Round 3.

Clermont v Leicester

The Tigers won in Clermont last season, but they’ve just lost their Head Coach to England, and I suspect this will be a home win. Clermont by 9

Gloucester v Leinster

You can’t pick against the Dublin side at the moment, and I can’t see Gloucester turning around their 57-0 defeat in the away game before Christmas. Leinster by 13

Sale v Toulouse

This is quite a tough one and a home win isn’t out of the question, but it’s probably sensible to back Toulouse. Toulouse by 7

Sharks v Bordeaux

This should be a fairly comfortable home win for the Sharks against a French side that will have given up after their two defeats so far. Sharks by 23

Munster v Northampton

The Saints might have given up too, and it’s highly unlikely they’ll get anything from this game at Thomond Park. Munster by 19

La Rochelle v Ulster

The French side won at Ravenhill last month, and so you have to back them to win again at their home ground. La Rochelle by 9

Bulls v Exeter

This is a great-looking fixture, with the Chiefs making their first trip to South Africa having beaten the Bulls comfortably at their home ground last month. When the Bulls play at home, they are normally worth backing. Bulls by 6

Ospreys v Montpellier

The Welsh side caused a shock by winning away in France - can they back it up with another win at home? Ospreys by 2

Saracens v Lyon

This is likely to be a one-sided affair with Saracens up against a disinterested travelling French team. Saracens by 28

Castres v Edinburgh

The French side have lost both of their games so far, including to Edinburgh away from home last month. I’m still leaning towards a home win here, however. Castres by 4

London Irish v Stormers

The travelling South Africans ought to win this against one of the bottom-half English sides. Stormers by 9

Racing 92 v Harlequins

Quins won the reverse fixture, but this is a tough trip to Paris and their away form rarely matches their strength at the Stoop. Racing by 11