Superbru 6: International predictions begin alongside Top 14 action

This weekend has a slightly different feel to it as the URC and Premiership Rugby take a break for the November Internationals, but luckily the Top 14 continues so we still have 6 fixtures to predict.

Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for this weekend.

Saturday

Clermont vs. Bordeaux - Top 14
Sixth-placed Clermont hosts 2nd-placed Bordeaux in a matchup between two strong sides at the Marcel-Michelin. I’m backing the hosts for a narrow win, given they have won all of their home games and lost all of their away games! Prediction: Clermont by 4

England vs. New Zealand - Rugby Internationals
I am feeling cautiously optimistic about this game from an English fan point of view. England pushed the All Blacks very close in the series in July, and if either Test had resulted in an England win, they’d be favourites with the bookies here. Given that both Tests could have gone either way, this isn’t as clear cut as some people might think.

England’s starting lineup looks well-balanced, with a mix of power, flair, experience and youth, but their bench is a concern with limited options to change the game if things aren’t going to plan. The All Blacks’ warm up against Japan last week will also help the visitors, as England usually start slowly and get better as the international season progresses, but I’m picking a narrow win for England with home advantage tilting things in their favour. Prediction: England by 2

Castres vs. Montpellier - Top 14
Back to the Top 14, where it’s the same story with Castres - they have a 100% winning home record and a 100% losing away record, and have generally beaten Montpellier in recent meetings. Prediction: Castres by 9

Perpignan vs. Vannes - Top 14
This is a bottom-of-the-table clash, and an important one in the relegation battle - the bottom team is automatically relegated, whilst the team in 13th has a playoff with the runner-up in the league below. The Superbru community seems to be divided almost down the middle, but this will be another home win. Prediction: Perpignan by 7

Scotland vs. Fiji - Rugby Internationals
This really should be a comfortable home win at Murrayfield. It should also be an entertaining game, with both sides looking to play with width, and the dry weather forecast looks conducive to a fast game. That might play into Fiji’s hands, and there could be some tense moments, but you can’t pick anyone but Scotland here. Prediction: Scotland by 13

Sunday

Bayonne vs. Toulouse - Top 14
This is a tough pick, with Bayonne up against the table-topping Toulouse, and the visitors have already recorded 3 away wins this season. The hosts, however, have recorded impressive wins over La Rochelle, Racing 92 and Lyon in the last 3 rounds, and I’m always anxious about picking away wins in France. Prediction: Bayonne by 4

Are there any you disagree with here? Can England beat the All Blacks?

Match previews are available for each match in the Rugby Internationals Predictor. Upgrade to Superbru Premium to access said previews on the picks pages of both the web and Superbru Rugby app.