As we enter the last weekend of the group stages of the European Champions Cup, only one team (Saracens) has guaranteed their position in the knock out stages, and Scotland on the cusp of having two teams in the Quarter Finals for the first time. It’s still all to play for with nine other teams vying for the remaining seven spots.
Scotland are guaranteed one Quarter Finalist, and could potentially have two! If Edinburgh beat Montpellier, they will qualify, and also prevent the French a best runner’s up position this guaranteeing Glasgow at least a best runners up position.
So how will it all go! I’ll give it my best shot, though my predictions at the start were not that accurate.
Pool 1:
This is relatively straightforward.
Toulouse to beat Bath with a bonus point and Leinster to beat Wasps without one. I have been swithering with the Leinster game, as I have a gut feeling that Wasps will want to put in a big performance after their heavy defeat at the RDS in week 1. But I reckon that Leinster will get the win they need.
Leinster (24) and Toulouse (22), both qualify
Pool 2:
Munster to get the victory with a bonus point against Exeter which will move them onto 22 points and guarantee a home QF.
Munster (22); Exeter (13)
Pool 3:
Saracens to defeat Glasgow with a bonus point, and Glasgow not getting anything, thus leaving them on the precipice of being knocked out but qualifying as 8thseeds.
Saracens (28); Glasgow (19)
Pool 4
Racing will get the full complement at home to Scarlets, and I have a funny feeling Ulster will slip up away at Leicester. Leicester have been very hot and cold this season, but I think they will be up for it and prevent Ulster qualifying, though the Irishmen will get a LB, but losing out on qualification due to points difference.
Racing 92 (26); Ulster (19)
Pool 5
This is where I would like to let my heart rule my head! I’d love Edinburgh to get he win, but I think that Montpellier will be too strong and just shade it at Murrayfield, but the LBP for Edinburgh will let them qualify for the QFs.
Montpellier (20); Edinburgh (20)
This would leave the QFs looking like this.
- Saracens v Glasgow (8)
- Racing 92 v Edinburgh (7)
- Leinster v Toulouse (6)
- Munster v Montpellier (5)
Alternatively…
Edinburgh beat Montpellier, I’ll go with my gut and say Wasps beat Leinster to, leaving the QF to be…
- Saracens v Ulster (8)
- Racing 92 v Glasgow (7)
- Edinburgh v Leinster (6)
- Toulouse v Munster (5)
Though the Munster v Toulouse may be reversed depending on their subsequent scores over the weekend.
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