Champions Cup: Round 3 Preview
Cardiff still looking for their first 2022 and Champions Cup win!
Cardiff Rugby vs Harlequins
Friday 14th January
Cardiff Arms Park
20:00 GMT
The Heineken Champions Cup is back with Round 3 expected to run in what can be described as organised chaos. Round 2 was severely affected by COVID, and this fixture was no different, this round we will be able to see both sides enjoy their personnel fully. Cardiff lost the round 2 fixture against Quins despite putting up a valiant first-half display, however, they’ve only played one URC match since and were comfortably beaten by the impressive Edinburgh. Harlequins on the other hand have hit a purple patch, they’ve gone 5 from 5 including winning their opening two champions cup fixtures against Castres away and Cardiff at home. Dai Young’s side will be looking to flip the script in the return fixture and they are going to need the Arms Park to rally behind a team that has toughened up in a complicated period for the club.
The hosts can approach this fixture without the turbulence suffered in rounds 1 and 2 of the Champions cup. The Blues will be looking for their first win of 2022 and it would be a great way to get their season back on track after four consecutive losses. Jarrod Evans is preferred at 10 for this matchup and Hallam Amos starts at fullback. Josh Turnbull captains the side from the unusual lock position. Dai Young has expressed his desire not to make excuses for their recent loss to Edinburgh and his men will certainly look to prove it with a hard graft performance up front.
Harlequins have been in hot form and have named a full-strength side except for the very notable exception of André Esterhuizen taking a well-deserved rest. The South African behemoth has been at centre stage of everything good about Quins in the last 12 months and his absence will certainly benefit Cardiff. Other than this omission, it is the usual suspects for Quins who will also be playing their predictably unpredictable Rugby.
Cardiff fans will be expecting a bounce back and there would be no better place to do it at the Arms Park. They’ve named a near full strength side and Young will have his men fired up for the event, however, the Premiership reigning champs have been in scintillating form and when they click they are so very hard to beat. Quins won’t have it easy, but their knack for scoring in 7 pointers and clutch vein means we have to back the Londoners in a close affair.
Prediction: Cardiff Rugby 21 - 27 Harlequins
History at the Pierre Fabre: Castres set to face Munster for an historic 18th time.
Castres Olympique vs Munster Rugby
Friday 14th January
Stade Pierre Fabre
20:00 GMT
Castres host Munster in what will be a record-breaking 18th fixture between these two sides in the Champions Cup. In addition to the history between the two clubs, Castres come into this fixture in scorching hot form whilst Munster are still dealing with the aftermath of Van Graan’s untimely departure news. The French side has won their last 4 fixtures and sit 3rd in the Top 14.
Castres have opted, as they did in rounds 1 and 2, to rest a large portion of their usual starters, they have made 13 changes to their starting lineup from last week. Unsurprisingly, Gaetan Barlot, Tom Staniforth, Josaia Raisuqe and Tyler Ardron are all omitted from the forward pack with the French side making it clear that their intention is to focus on the Top 14. In the backline, Ben Urdapilleta, Vilimoni Botitu and Julien Dumora are also left out. The only members of the starting XV who have retained their position from Castres’ win against Stade Francais last week are Ben Botica and Thomas Combezou.
Munster have also rotated a portion of their side, but the quality of the players named is a true testament to the depth at the club. The Men in Red had been heavily criticised in the media following a lacklustre performance in the wake of Van Graan’s departure news, but have since silenced sceptics with an important win against Ulster in the URC. Peter O’Mahony captains the side from a star-studded back row including O’Donoghue and Coombes. In the backs, Rory Scannell starts at inside centre with De Allende unfit for the match after picking up an abdomen injury in training. It is always a tough task to win away from home in the Champions Cup and especially at a revered ground like the Pierre Fabre, but Munster have the talents to win back to back away Champions Cup games in France for the first time since 2009.
Despite Castres naming an understrength side, away games in France always make for complicated affairs. Munster will be involved in a real battle and they know it. This game will be decided in the battle upfront and even with all the complications mentioned, Munster boasts more talent and should flex that into an important away win.
Prediction: Castres 15 - 24 Munster
Wasps Rugby vs Stade Toulouse
Saturday 15th January
Coventry Building Society Arena
13:00 GMT
Wasps come into this fixture galvanised by their streak-ending victory against Leicester Tigers, their old national and continental rivals. This week they meet another foe with which they have contested periods of heated skirmish on the continental stage. Despite their intertwined history of European domination, the two clubs are in very different situations. Toulouse just won the elusive double having won the Top 14 and Champions Cup last year. Wasps conversely have had an injury struck season and apart from making the Prem final in 2020, they’ve been quite distant from continental success for some time.
Despite a campaign that has been neither a success nor a disappointment so far for Wasps, there has been some shining light in the development of their young talent. The injury crisis they have endured from the beginning of the season has not wavered, however, this week they welcome back Paolo Odogwu. No doubt top-quality talent of this calibre will help the side in their European quest. Despite this welcomed addition, there is nothing tranquil in Lee Blackett’s line-up selection. Odogwu starts at outside centre, Crossdale is on the right-wing and Umaga at full back. The young Charlie Atkinson will continue his impressive start in the 10 jersey, with the experienced guidance of Jimmy Gopperth alongside him. Wasps have made the CBS a difficult, albeit not a fortress, venue to visit. Yet, they have lost the last two Champions Cup games at the CBS and have never lost three in a row at home in the Champions Cup, thus they’ll really look to make sure that run continues. With these factors to be considered, the reigning Champions Cup champs Toulouse will be made to work, especially given the absence of their mercurial World Rugby Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont.
Les rouge et noir (the red and black), are sitting second in the Top 14, yet they come into this fixture having lost two in a row, something that has not happened at any other point this season. They will be looking to bounce back and although Dupont is missing, Ugo Mola has named a very strong side. Ntamack captains the side from Pivot and pairs up with Martin Page-Relo at 9. The pack is littered with Internationals, headlined by an all Les Bleus front-row of Baille, Mauvaka and Aldegheri. Although Toulouse have lost their last two games, it is no indication of their true form. They should have no real trouble coming away to Wasps and getting the job done, keeping their Champions Cup record in the win column and continuing their quest for the double.
Prediction: Wasps 20 - 32 Toulouse
Ospreys vs Racing 92
Saturday 15th January
Swansea.com Stadium
15:15 GMT
Ospreys face a daunting Champions Cup clash against the flamboyant Parisians. The Welshmen have lost their last three fixtures including their first Champions Cup group match against Sale. Racing 92 despite their abundance of flashy talent, are enduring a subpar season. Their talent is such that when they do turn it on they can beat everyone, as they showed in their first Champions Cup fixture humbling the in-form Northampton Saints at the Franklins Gardens.
Ospreys fans will be hoping that their side can get back into the W column, a win would help them get the wind in their sail for both their Champions Cup and URC campaigns. However, history is not in their favour. The Welsh side has yet to record a victory against Racing 92 in any of their four previous matchups. Furthermore, Les Ciel et Blanc (the sky-blues and whites) have won all of their previous three trips to Wales in the Champions Cup. Nonetheless, Ospreys should take confidence in the knowledge that these figures mean nothing in reality. Toby Booth and Co will focus on the controllables and they themselves have a lot of talent as well as home turf advantage that can get them back to ‘singing their song’ in the shed post-match. The key to stopping the French is halting their mobile pack, it is imperative that the likes of Russell and Beale get infrequent and slow ball rather than a smooth platform from which to launch their attacks.
Racing 92 have been far from perfect this year as clearly shown by their 8th place positioning in the Top 14. Nonetheless, the sheer quality of their squad can win games from nothing. Their poor league form means that success in the Champions Cup has become even more important for Lorenzetti’s side to salvage their season. Key for them will be to start strong and get into their flow early. Providing clean and crisp service for Machenaud and Russell to unleash the likes of Thomas, Imhoff and Fickou. Finn Russell has been the premier playmaker in the competition so far, joint leader (Connacht’s Jack Carty) with three try assists and three line break assists (Cardiff’s Dan Fish). Considering the outside finishers available and the nature of their abrasive pack, it would be surprising to see this team falter.
Prediction: Ospreys 19 - 35 Racing 92
Connacht vs Leicester Tigers
Saturday 15th January
The Sportsground
15:15 GMT
Connacht host Leicester Tigers as they look for revenge after their close loss in the reverse fixture. The Irish side’s valiant effort saw them record an important losing bonus point at Welford Road. However, with just two pool games to go, this game is a must-win for Connacht if they are to make a push for the knockout places. On the reverse side, Leicester have gone 2/2 in the Champions Cup this year but after losing their first game of the season to Wasps last week, Steve Borthwick’s side will be heavily motivated not to drop back to back games.
Connacht will be looking to build upon their impressive win over Munster on New Years Day. In their bid to do so, Andy Friend has only made three changes to the side. Two of the three changes feature in the tight five as Shane Delahunt is favoured over Dave Heffernan at hooker, whilst Niall Murray comes into the second row, moving Ultan Dillane to the bench. The final change sees the injured Mack Hansen replaced by Connacht’s all-time leading try scorer, Matt Healy. With consistency in their lineup over recent games, Connacht are slowly rounding into full form. A win in this contest would put a big marker down going forward for Andy Friend’s side.
Leicester have once again opted for rotation in their lineup for the Champions Cup yet have still named a very strong side, a testament to the depth in their squad. After spending the last two weeks covering the back row, Nic Dolly is back into his usual position at hooker, he’s joined by captain Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes on either side. The versatile Harry Wells shifts from the back row into lock this week, he’s partnered by Calum Green. Springbok Jasper Wiese returns this week to start at number 8 with Ollie Chessum and the ever-present Tommy Reffell forming the rest of the back row. Richard Wigglesworth and Freddie Burns are the halfback partnership this week as Ben Youngs and George Ford are handed some well-deserved rest. Kini Murimurivalu is back to his familiar wing position after covering the back row in recent weeks, Freddie Steward is moved out of fullback to take his place on the opposite wing.
This game is going to be a scrappy, defensive-minded battle with both sides not willing to give an inch to one another. Whilst both sides have been used to that type of game this season, Leicester won’t have the elite kicking game of George Ford to lean on. With Connacht at home, some rotation in the Tigers outfit and the situation of a must-win game, I think Andy Friend’s side can get the job done in what’s expected to be an arm wrestle throughout.
Prediction: Connacht 20 - 18 Leicester Tigers
Stade Rochelais vs Bath Rugby
Saturday 15th January
Stade Marcel Deflandre
17:30 GMT
La Rochelle and Bath meet for the first time this season after their scheduled clash in Round 2 fell victim to COVID. With that fixture being awarded a 0-0 draw, the French side will be looking to inflict some damage in this contest as they look to improve on their current 4th place in pool A. Bath travel across the Channel having gained somewhat of a confidence boost after finally breaking the duck and recording their first win of the season against Worcester. Meanwhile, Ronan O’Gara’s side come into this game with a bitter taste lingering after they blew a 21 point lead to Castres in the Top 14 a fortnight ago. However, bar their last fixtures, these two sides have had completely different seasons to date with the French side in the hunt for a playoff berth in the Top 14 and Bath planted at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership.
After coming agonisingly close to reaching the peak of the mountain both domestically and in Europe last season, La Rochelle haven’t quite matched those standards this time around. Whilst they are 1/1 in Europe and only 5 points adrift of second place in the Top 14, they still haven’t fully clicked as a group yet. However, this fixture presents a golden chance to pile on some points and spark some momentum going forward. The home side have named a starting XV looking to inflict damage on an understrength Bath team, with Greg Alldritt captaining a side chock-full of internationals. La Rochelle will have no intentions of tarnishing their near immaculate record at the Stade Marcel Deflandre this season, they have won their last 7 games there.
The story of the last week in English rugby has been the streaks ending for both Leicester and Bath. Whilst it was by no means a pretty win, turning that win column from a 0 into a 1 must’ve given the South West side some much-needed relief. However, you’ve got to have a short memory in professional rugby as this week Bath face their most daunting task of the season. For their trip to France, Bath have (understandably) opted for some rotation in the lineup. The big news is that young sensation Cam Redpath returns from his long term ACL injury to start at fly-half. Also returning from injury is Ben Spencer who forms the 9-10 partnership with Redpath. With heavy rotation elsewhere, Bath will be hoping for a chaos-filled game in which they can let the shackles loose and play some enterprising rugby.
With a La Rochelle side out for blood after their domestic disappointment against Castres a fortnight ago, paired with their near-perfect home record this season, Bath are up against it. In fact, I’d go as far as to say this would go down as one of the greatest Champions Cup wins if Bath were to pull it off. This game is simply a mismatch of talent, combined with all other factors favouring La Rochelle. Whilst Bath broke their losing streak last week, I’d be shocked if they recorded back to back wins against a loaded La Rochelle side.
Prediction: La Rochelle 43 - 19 Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs vs Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 15th January
Sandy Park
17:30 GMT
Exeter will be looking to avenge their Round 2 loss away to Glasgow when they host the Warriors tonight. The Chiefs season has been starting to pick up pace after a less than flattering start, and a big home win at Sandy Park would certainly show the right intent. Glasgow, however, will be backing themselves to do a job at Sandy Park. Danny Wilson’s men have been in fine form, they’ve won 3 of their last 4 matches and are tied 3rd in the URC. This should be one of the games of the round, with plenty of bragging rights up for grabs and both sides possessing a mix of brute physicality with silky running and offloading making this an exciting matchup.
Exeter Chiefs have not been at their best this season but even their cruise control mode is at a very high level. However, history says that they have been a completely different beast in terms of making Sandy Park a Champions Cup fortress. The Devon club has won 9 of their last 10 home games in the Champions Cup and scored over 30 points in eight of those matches. They will be missing current Champions Cup top tackler and former Glasgow Warrior Jonny Gray who is replaced by Sam Skinner, fellow lock partner Jonny Hill also takes a break giving way to Sean Lonsdale. Rob Baxter knows how important this fixture is in the context of making a run in Europe, and Exeter just cannot let this one slip away.
Glasgow have won one and lost one in the Champions Cup so far. After putting up a valiant but to no avail away performance at La Rochelle, they beat the Chiefs in Glasgow in what was a reminder to their opponents, that Glasgow is a very strong outfit. Glasgow duo Jack Dempsey and Josh McKay league the Champions Cup in carries made after 2 rounds, both with 25 a piece. The industriousness of both their forwards and back is the key ingredient to this side's success and if they are to topple the Chiefs at home they will do so by out-working their opponents. Ali Price and mercurial 10 Ross Thompson will take care of proceeding when and if they have ascendency in the pack and can control the tempo of the game to their liking.
This game is going to be a thrilling affair, a real tight battle where both teams wrestle themselves into advantageous positions only for their opponent to wriggle out and launch their own counter. This makes it an extremely difficult game to call, as it is tough to write off Glasgow, who have been so solid this year and will be chomping at the bit for another scalp at what has been a vulnerable Sandy Park this year. Having said this, Chiefs are such a quality side that form doesn’t really dictate their performances. In any case, they have vastly improved in the last couple of months and are looking primed to time their run for both the Premiership and Champions Cup. Given the closeness between the two, home advantage is the only separating factor for us and we think Chiefs will sneak it at Sandy Park.
Prediction: Exeter Chiefs 26 - 22 Glasgow Warriors
Bristol Bears vs Stade Francais
Saturday 15th January
Ashton Gate
20:00 GMT
Leinster Rugby vs Montpellier Herault
Sunday 16th January
RDS Arena
13:00 GMT
The blue machine is set to host Montpellier at the RDS for the reverse fixture that never was in Round 2. Leinster felt very hard done by when they were administered a loss for not travelling to France last week despite having named a squad and declaring their availability for the match. They will be out to avenge their ‘loss’ and look to get on with their Champions Cup campaign which, although not compromised fully, has been put under some stress. Montpellier, on the other hand, lost their first fixture away to Exeter, before being awarded the full bonus-point victory in Round 2. However, they have once again named an understrength side confirming their intent to focus on the Top 14, in which they currently are placed 4th just 1 point shy of 2nd.
Leinster come into this match having played their last rugby match on December 11th in their Champions Cup beating of Bath. The Irish juggernauts, however, won’t be dealing with rust as this team is full of classy and very professional operators that will hit the ground running from the get-go. Despite their lack of gametime, they boast a squad full of so many Irish internationals that they would probably give many International sides a run for their money. Ross Molony is the only non-international featuring in the pack with the rest all donning the Green jersey as regular stalwarts. In the backs, young Ross Byrne leads the troops with Jonny Sexton returning to the bench after a spell on the sidelines.
Montpellier, conversely, have not named such a potent side and in fact have once again opted to rotate heavily. This means that even despite the hosts lack of playing time, this match’s result is not at all in doubt, with Leinster likely to put on a masterclass. Montpellier have opted to rest Reinach, Pollard, Serfontein, Garbisi and Rattez despite all of them featuring just over a fortnight ago. In the forwards, Paenga-Amosa, Willemse, Camara are all absent and even Zach Mercer is limited to starting from the bench. They do however welcome back Guilhem Guirado, with the former French captain featuring for the first time since contracting COVID in mid-December.
As has been alluded to, this match unfortunately will be a formality. Leinster’s cobwebs, if there are any, will be blown out within the first quarter of the match and they’ll proceed to meticulously dominate every ruck, collision and set-piece available, on their way to a commanding victory. It is a real shame that Montpellier has not put out their strongest side, because this could have been one of the games of the round, and one of the hardest to pick. Unfortunately, it won’t be.
Prediction: Leinster 46 - 14 Montpellier
Northampton Saints vs Ulster Rugby
Sunday 16th January
Franklins Gardens
15:15 GMT
Northampton host Ulster at the Gardens with a desire to avenge their close loss in the reverse fixture of round 2. The hosts have hit a rough patch of late, having won just one game of their last five games with the win coming last week against Newcastle Falcons. Chris Boyd has been suspended for two weeks following criticism of a Match Official and his club will be looking to start a win streak without him in the stands. Ulster, on the other hand, have played just one URC match since beating Northampton at the Kingspan losing to Munster in an Irish derby.
Northampton’s European hopes are quickly fading, having lost their opening two games, a loss today would halt their European chances. Even a victory would give them very slim chances as they’d have to beat Racing 92 at Paris La Defense next week to stand a chance of making it past the group stages. The Saints however, are committed to surmount this difficult challenge and have selected a strong side to do so. The usual suspects lineup in the pack with the addition of Brandon Nansen chosen ahead of Api Ratuniyarawa and Teimana Harrison starts with Juarno Augustus expected to make an impact from the bench. In the backs, there is a midfield re-shuffle with Rory Hutchinson and Tom Litchfield rewarded for their impressive performances against the Falcons a week ago.
The Ulstermen are in a very strong position for their Champions Cup hopes. The Belfast-based team has won 2/2 with an impressive away win at the Stade Marcel-Michelin against Clermont and a gritty home win against today’s opposition. They are also doing well domestically in the URC, currently in 3rd place. Dan McFarland's team will still feel bruised after their narrow loss to Munster in the URC, but have named a strong side to take on Saints and keep their record clean in the Champions Cup. Iain Henderson is the only name missing from their industrious pack, with the Irish International and club captain replaced by Kieran Treadwell with Alan O’Connor taking over the captaincy duties. James Hume was a doubt for this fixture but is named in the 13 jersey, however his midfield partner Stuart McCloskey is not available and Stewart Moore will wear the 12.
In what ought to be a close game at Franklin’s Garden, momentum swings will dictate which side gets over the hump. Both sides possess physical packs and the emphasis will be on ball retention and discipline. Limiting territorial advantage and ensuring that there are as few opportunities to tick the scoreboard or crawl upfield with a penalty will be imperative to securing the win. Northampton have been far too ill-disciplined of late and will certainly have focused on this during the week, however, we feel that Ulster have the quality and desire to keep their Champions Cup unbeaten run going for one more week.
Prediction: Northampton Saints 27 - 28 Ulster Rugby
Bordeaux Begles vs Scarlets
Sunday 16th January
Stade Chaban-Delmas
15:15 GMT
Clermont Auvergne vs Sale Sharks
Sunday 16th January
Stade Marcel-Michelin
17:30 GMT
Les Januards do not seem like the Yellow-Machine powerhouse of old. They are currently sat in 7th place in the Top 14 and in their only Champions Cup fixture they lost at home to Ulster. They host Sale Sharks this week, a side that has similarly disappointed in their domestic competition but conversely have found success so far in the Champions Cup. Alex Sanderson’s men beat Ospreys away from home in Round 1 of the Champions Cup before their Round 2 fixture was cancelled due to the travel restrictions to France. Sale Sharks are currently 10th in the Premiership and probably out of Top 4 contention, suggesting that the Mancunians may well focus on the Champions Cup to salvage their season.
The Clermont Juggernaut lines up at semi-full strength with some notable stalwarts starting this fixture from the bench. Rabah Slimani, Paul Jedrasiak will provide impact from the bench and the experience of Parra and flair of Vili will look to inject a mixture of control and tempo to the latter stage of the match. In the starting XV, Argentine International Tomas Lavanini starts at lock with Captain Cancoriet at Openside and Cristian Ojovan at tighthead, the only other Internationals in the starting pack. The backs are full of flair, with the most notable change being that of Damian Penaud starting at outside centre, the flamboyant French winger has been world class in 2021 and will look to bring his game-breaking abilities to the midfield for Clermont. Inside Penaud, George Moala brings a different type of game-breaking ability with pure physicality being married to an offloading finesse.
Sale Sharks come into this fixture with a very sombre mood. The club has seriously underperformed this season and rumours circle around discontent within their ranks. Not to mention the recent scandal one of their players has been allegedly involved in. Their Premiership hopes seem firmly uprooted and therefore they must concentrate on the Champions Cup to give this season purpose. The calibre of players in this club makes them potential smokey candidates for an unlikely Champions Cup run, but first they need to get their house in order. Furthermore, this season has been marred with injuries and they have rarely been able to name a consistent lineup let alone one with all of their best players named at the same time. This week, it can be said that their pack is at full strength with the likes of Curry, the Du Preez twins, De Jager all starting. The front-row has also been a revelation this year with new signing Nick Schonert being as advertised and providing security at the tighthead position, whilst Ashman and Rodd have had international debuts and breakout seasons in 2021 - they all start together this week. The backline sees a slight reshuffle with Simon Hammersley occupying the left wing, Luke James at full back and Roebuck on the right wing. Rohan Janse Van Rensburg and Rob Du Preez continue their midfield partnership and AJ MacGinty pairs up with Will Cliff once again in the halves.
Prediction: Clermont Auvergne 31 - 25 Sale Sharks