After a reasonable start on SuperBru last weekend, here are my picks for the second round.
Sale Sharks v Toulon
Salford is a tough place to win, and French teams are notoriously bad at winning away, but I still think Toulon will come away with the points here. Sale Sharks have made 5 changes, giving halfbacks Sam James and Peter Stringer their first starts of the season.
Toulon will need to bounce back quickly from a home defeat last weekend if they are to progress in the tournament, and this is one that they must (and probably will) win. Toulon by 16.
Munster v Glasgow Warriors
This is a tough one to pick, given the events of recent days. Anthony Foley’s funeral takes place today, with this match at lunchtime tomorrow. On the one hand I can see an emphatic home win in Axel’s honour, but equally the emotional turmoil of this week could take its toll.
I’ll await further team news before locking my pick, but I’m going with my heart for now. Imagine the scenes. Munster by 5.
Castres v Northampton
The French side was well beaten at Leinster last week, but will likely be a different prospect at home, whilst Saints only just snuck past Montpellier in a fairly poor match.
These teams have met four times over the last few years in European competition, with the home side winning every time. Castres by 8.
Clermont Auvergne v Bordeaux
Clermont looked very strong at Exeter in Round 1, and they’ll return to Stade Marcel Michelin confident of making it two from two. Bordeaux beat Ulster pretty convincingly, but I can’t see them winning this one.
The two teams met in the Top 14 a month ago, with Clermont winning by 24 points. Clermont by 18.
Saracens v Scarlets
What a performance from the reigning champions last weekend, and they’re the talk of the Rugby world at the moment. The Scarlets also won well, beating Sale at home, but this one will be a stretch too far.
I really don’t fancy the Scarlets’ chances at all as they face a Saracens side full of confidence on their own (plastic) turf. Saracens by 28.
Ulster v Exeter
Both need to win this match to keep their hopes alive – another defeat and their European campaigns will be all but over.
Home advantage should be enough to see Ulster home, but it could be close. Ulster by 2.
Montpellier v Leinster
This looks like a great fixture for Sunday lunchtime. The French side was unlucky to lose by 2 points at Franklins Gardens last weekend – and the difference was the retaken conversion by Stephen Myler, after Frans Steyn’s unsportsmanlike shouting during the chargedown.
Leinster won comfortably, but I fancy the home side and their enormous pack to get them over the line. Montpellier by 4.
Toulouse v Wasps
It’s hard to judge Wasps on a one-sided thumping of Zebre, but they’ve been so impressive all season in the Aviva Premiership, and they’ll be relishing this test.
Toulouse were fairly disappointing at Connacht, and looked a team short on identity, and that could be their undoing at home. Wasps by 6.
Zebre v Connacht
A Bonus Point victory in Italy, and Connacht will really start to eye up qualification from a tough pool – particularly if my prediction above comes off, with Toulouse to lose at home.
I loved watching them play against Toulouse, and I think they’ll score at least 4 tries if they play in a similar manner. Connacht by 33.
Leicester Tigers v Racing 92
It will be interesting to see how the Tigers bounce back from their humbling in Glasgow last week, but their chances of qualification are already looking remote, such is the competitiveness in this group.
Racing will be fresh after a week off, and I think they’ll take the points at Welford Road. Racing by 8.
What do you think of these predictions? Join me on SuperBru and see how you get on.
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Do you really think Sarries will win by that much? Kruis is out for a while after surgery on his ankle. Ironically the only position in which Sarries don’t have the same depth as others since Hargreaves retirement.
I think Toulouse vs Wasps is going to be the best match of round 2.
I think if Sarries play another first half like last week, they’ll run away with it. Scarlets won’t be able to come back at them like Toulon did, and it could be mauling.
They were 19 points up at half-time against a team that had never lost at home in Europe, and so it’s not a huge stretch to get to 28. It might be a touch on the high side – Scarlets do have a good starting XV, but lack depth on the bench, and if Sarries build a lead, it could be a mauling.
You fancy Montpellier because of there enormous pack…have you not seen the Leinster pack? Plus most of those Montpellier players are has beens. Spies etc.