Champions Cup Round 2 - Preview
Ulster Rugby vs Northampton Saints
Friday 17th December
Kingspan Stadium
20:00 GMT
The Ulstermen return to the Kingspan Stadium after a memorable scalp in Clermont.
They host the domestically in-form Northampton Saints, who however were absolutely hosed at home by Racing 92 in round 1. This will be a great clash with the Ulstermen galvanised by Duane Vermeulen’s Kingspan debut and the Saints looking to right the wrongs of last week and get their first European win under their belts.
McFarland will be looking to continue Ulster’s strong start with a home win. Their grit in the win against Clermont will be on display once again with just three changes made from the starting XV that took down the Marcel-Michelin. In the pack, Iain Henderson is back at lock and captains the side partnering last week's Captain Alan O’Connor. Marty Moore at prop ahead of Tom O’Toole is the only other change to the pack. In the backs the experienced winger Craig Gilroy wears the 14 jersey ahead of youngster Robert Balocoune who drops out of the matchday squad ruled out by a shoulder injury sustained against Clermont.
The key for Ulster will be to starve Northampton of possession and constantly put their defenders on the back foot. McCloskey and Hume showed last week how they can pick the right lines and make searing breaks once the defence is unorganised. The return of Captain Henderson will no doubt result in an industrious engine room performance, something that has been synonymous with Ulster rugby for many years now. The ball-carrying traits of Vermeulen need no introduction and his ability to carry, offload and cause turnovers in defence will be a key ingredient for Ulster.
Chris Boyd expressed his frustration in last week’s bad beat at the hands of Racing 92. Speaking to Rugbypass, Boyd said that they ‘were naive and at times [we were] sloppy’ in summary that ‘[they] conceded too many points early and really didn’t stay in the hunt long enough to threaten at all’.
Expecting a reaction, Boyd has swung the axe but also has had his hand forced through injury and welcomed back some key players. A total of six-changes to the starting XV starts from the return of club stalwart Courtney Lawes. The 89 time capped England international will play in game 243 for the Saints and hope to bring the leadership and defensive glue that was so dearly missed last week. Karl Wilkins drops out of the matchday squad completely and Tom Wood is chosen to start at no.8 ahead of Juarno Augustus. Boyd clearly showing intent to play with a more experienced backrow to partner the young captain Lewis Ludlam. In the front row, Alex Waller and Mike Haywood are the last changes to the pack taking over from Auterac and Matavesi respectively, both of whom won’t feature in this fixture. Iyogun is on the bench and the dynamic young prop will be one to watch when he comes on.
In the backs, the changes are headlined by the loss of Dan Biggar who limped off last week against Racing 92. George Furbank moves from fullback to fly-half and Ashee Tuala takes his place at the back. Ollie Sleightholme is picked on the right wing with Tommy Freeman not considered for selection in the trip to Belfast.
Prediction: Ulster 32 - 20 Saints
Harlequins vs Cardiff Rugby
Saturday 18th December
Twickenham Stoop
13:00 GMT
Harlequins return to the Stoop with an important away scalp and will face a Cardiff side still recovering from their COVID crisis. The Welsh side do welcome back some key first team players that will certainly bolster their chances, but the Londoners have shown their intent to go further in Europe this season then they have done in the past.
Tabai Matson has once again named a strong Quins side, aiming to take on the momentum from their Castres win last week. The pack sees four changes with a whole new prop duo of Santiago Garcia Botta and Simon Kerrod replacing Joe Marler and Will Collier both of whom are rested for this match. Young Hugh Tizard locks down with Captain Stephan Lewies in the second row and Jack Kenningham replaces James Chisholm for this week's fixture. In the backs Joe Marchant comes in on the right wing and Louis Lynagh drops to the bench. The Londoners will be looking to put on a big display at the Stoop continuing a strong start to their European campaign.
Cardiff showed last week just how resilient a club they are, and despite losing convincingly, they put on a valiant display. The Blues this week have welcomed back much needed reinforcements, but are still severely understrength. In the pack Yardley gets a start after featuring on the bench last week, he will be pairing with fellow non-league player Rowan Jenkins in the front row. The young Sam Moore gets just his 4th Cardiff start at number 8 rounding out the changes to the pack. In the backs, the experienced Dan Fish takes the reins at fly-half, whilst Rey Lee-Lo is a welcome addition at outside centre and will form a dynamic centre partnership with Welsh-International Willis Halaholo. Josh Adams shifts back out to his preferred right wing and academy starlett Cameron Winnett debuts at full back.
Prediction: Harlequins 44 - 17 Cardiff Rugby
Bath Rugby vs Stade Rochelais
Saturday 18th December
The Rec
13:00 GMT
POSTPONED
Sale Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
Saturday 18th December
AJ Bell Stadium
15:15 GMT
POSTPONED
Racing 92 28 - 0 Ospreys
Saturday 18th December
Paris La Defense
17:30 GMT
FORFEITTED
Glasgow Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs
Saturday 18th December
Scotstoun Stadium
17:30 GMT
The Glasgow Warriors return to Scotstoun following a hard-fought bonus-point loss to La Rochelle. The Glaswegians face a task none the easier this week, facing off 2020’s Champions Cup winners. The Chiefs have not been in hot form but have recently started stringing together performances worthy of note. Rob Baxter has made it clear that they have not been performing at the level they wanted to and that the Champions Cup is the perfect opportunity to ‘walk-the-walk’.
Danny Wilson has made just two changes to the side that travelled to the West of France. A tactical change in the front row sees Oli Kebble revert to the bench, giving Jamie Bhatti a start at loosehead. Whilst in the backs, Rufus McLean drops out of the matchday 23 due to COVID protocols and joins Ryan Wilson as a would-be player unavailable for selection. The young Kiwi Cole Forbes gets the chance to replace McLean on the left wing. The Glaswegians will fancy their chances against an Exeter side that has not quite been firing on all cylinders. A win for Glasgow would be an upset, but it would not surprise many.
The Chiefs are looking to make a statement win in Scotland. Their demolition of Montpellier was not so much a testament to their strength as Montpellier was severely understrength. Therefore, this presents itself as a key opportunity for Exeter to show Rob Baxter and their fans that they have what it takes to be at the top of Europe once again. Baxter has made just one change from last week’s side. Sam Nixon is promoted to start at tighthead as Josh Iosefa-Scott drops out of the matchday 23. Whilst their form has not been perfect, they have also not had the fortune of picking such a full-strength side for much of the season. The returns of Cowan-Dickie and Gray in the last fortnight have gone a long way to shore up their defensive issues and they should be ready to give Glasgow a real test-match type performance. Not to mention that the return of Stuart Hogg against his former club will add even more passion to the cauldron.
Prediction: Glasgow 24 - 26 Exeter
Munster Rugby vs Castres Olympique
Saturday 18th December
Thomond Park
20:00 GMT
Munster are one of the URC teams most hard-hit by the COVID debacle in South Africa with 14 players still serving their quarantine period. The Red Army however did not waver and combined youth and experience to win away in Coventry against a Wasps side that were equally COVID struck albeit with a much later and more unpredictable squad reshuffle. Nonetheless, Munster can be very proud of their performance and especially the character demonstrated by their youngsters that ‘stood and delivered’. Castres on the other hand, lost narrowly at home to Quins, though it could have been a real blowout. The Frenchmen have opted once again to play an understrength side, and are the only French side travelling outside of France for their Champions Cup fixture this weekend.
Munster last week dealt with the missing player issue and this week instead must perform after the bombshell news that Coach Johann Van Graan will be departing the club for Bath at the end of the season. Nonetheless, he has emphasised his commitment and desire to finish the season on a high and doing so in Europe would no doubt be the best result for the Munster faithful. This week Munster have made 5 changes. Niall Scannell returns to the side at hooker to replace the impressive performance of youngster Scott Buckley. Ryan replaces French at tighthead and big Jean Kleyn returns to the lineup in the second row. O’Mahony captains the side and Jack O’Donoghue replaces Okeke at number 8 who was another star performer last week despite his tender age. In the backs a new injury blow to Joey Carbery sees Ben Healy take the 10 jersey, with the rest of the backline unchanged from last week.
Castres have once again rotated the side for this fixture, indicating that the French side is more focused on their domestic endeavours than reaching the steep hills of European success. Castres Head Coach Mauricio Reggiardo has made seven changes to the starting lineup from last week. An all new prop duo of De Benedittis and Hounkpatin wraps around Ngauamo. Veteran Captain Loic Jacquet returns to the squad in the second row. Simon Meka and Kevin Kornath are also new additions to the pack. Santiago Arata takes over at half-back from the club stalwart Rory Kockott, who will instead inject his experience from the bench this week. Bastien Guillemin on the right wing is the final change from last week.
Prediction: Munster 36 - 15 Castres
Leicester Tigers vs Connacht Rugby
Sunday 19th December
Welford Road
13:00 GMT
Scarlets vs Union Bordeaux-Begles
Sunday 19th December
Parc y Scarlets
13:00 GMT
POSTPONED
Stade Toulousain vs Wasps
Sunday 19th December
Stade Ernest Wallon
15:15 GMT
POSTPONED
Stade Francais Paris vs Bristol Bears
Sunday 19th December
Stade Jean Bouin
17:30 GMT
POSTPONED