Jan 21: Heineken Champions Cup & URC predictions!
This weekend sees the South African teams finally returning to URC action, whilst there’s a round of the Heineken Champions Cup as well.
Here are my Rugby predictions for this weekend.
Meanwhile, the United Rugby Championship continues this weekend with two South African derbies, where the prize is a place in the Heineken Cup next season.
Here are my Rugby predictions for this weekend.
Harlequins v Castres
This should be a comfortable home win for Quins, who are going well in Europe so far, against Castres who are already out. Harlequins by 13Bath v Leinster
Bath are still struggling this season, and when you’re in a slump, Leinster is unlikely to be your first choice of visitor. Leinster by 23Toulouse v Cardiff
The French came unstuck against Wasps last weekend, but this should be straightforward enough back at home. Toulouse by 18Leicester v Bordeaux
This is a tough fixture, but you can’t pick against the Tigers at home, given the season they are enjoying so far. Leicester by 8Ulster v Clermont
Given that they won the reverse fixture and haven’t lost in Europe since, you have to pick Ulster at home here. Ulster by 7Scarlets v Bristol
Bristol can squeeze through to the knockouts with a win here, whilst the Scarlets are out, so that extra motivation should be enough for the away win. Bristol by 5Glasgow v La Rochelle
This is a really tricky one that could go either way, and so I’m leaning towards home advantage against the travelling French side. Glasgow by 4Sale v Ospreys
This should be easy enough for Sale against the disinterested Ospreys. Sale by 16Stade Francais v Connacht
Connacht were convincing winners of the first match between these teams, but travelling to Paris is a different challenge. I’m tentatively picking a home win. Stade by 4Racing 92 v Northampton
This is a nice easy one in Paris, Racing should win at a canter. Racing by 23Munster v Wasps
Wasps gave themselves a chance of qualifying, and a losing bonus point would help their chances of finishing in the Top 8, but it will be a tall order. Munster by 9Montpellier v Exeter
The French team were embarrassing at Leinster last week, losing by no fewer than 82 points. They deserve to be beaten here too. Exeter by 8Meanwhile, the United Rugby Championship continues this weekend with two South African derbies, where the prize is a place in the Heineken Cup next season.
Personally, I believe that no additional transfers should be added, and no extra subs. We don't need to field 15 players. We need to score as many points as we can, within the parameters set. Adding transfers (and possibly subs) mainly helps the brus that don't plan well. In this week's round, I would have been able to field 15 players without doing any subs, but received no benefit for my careful planning.
In these troubled times, I usually try to ensure that all 4 wingers (all 3 centres, etcetera) come from different matches. Mostly I pick key players from early matches, which are less likely to be cancelled. Pre-covid, I'd usually pick subs that were likely to play the foll 24 Jan 15:29