Ahead of the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 action, we pick out five of the key talking points as sides fight for a spot in the last eight of the competition.
Saracens’ controversial decision
The former champions have been criticised by some, including Harlequins coach Danny Wilson and former Springboks centre Robbie Fleck, over their decision to rest their England contingent for this game instead of a recent Premiership fixture, thus handing Toulon a massive leg-up on Saturday in their quest to make the quarter-finals.
Following the Six Nations, Saracens were required to give their stars a game’s break in the next three weeks but decided to play their England internationals against Quins and Leicester Tigers in the domestic league. That meant they could not feature in this weekend’s Champions Cup showdown, which severely dents their hopes of winning.
While they still boast an impressive line-up, it does feel incredibly strange not to see Saracens going full tilt in Europe like in seasons gone by. However, they decided the need to push themselves up the Premiership standings was too great and ultimately this is where we are. What an achievement it would be if they did conquer RC Toulon.
D-Day for struggling La Rochelle
From one former European champion to another, La Rochelle look a shadow of their former selves right now as they continue on a shocking record which has seen them lose seven and draw one of their last eight games. They sit 10th in the Top 14 and badly need a win over Munster that wing Jack Nowell hopes can swing the “momentum”.
Lose at home this weekend in front of their expectant fans, and the knives would surely be out for Ronan O’Gara after such a slide in terms of results and performance.
However, this feels like a game La Rochelle could catch fire, and it may well be the turning point in their European campaign, especially with the Top 14 out of reach.
Jack Nowell hails Ronan O’Gara as La Rochelle aim to swing season’s ‘momentum’ against Munster
Lions fly-half scrap at Croke Park
Leinster and Harlequins clash at a packed Croke Park on Saturday, and what an occasion it promises to be in perfect conditions between two sides that put on a show.
There is talent aplenty, but there will of course be plenty of media focus on the battle at fly-half between British & Irish Lions hopefuls Sam Prendergast and Marcus Smith. The Ireland youngster might have more of the front foot ball against his direct rival, but Smith’s ability to unlock a defence all by himself makes him such a threat.
No doubt there will be Lions coaching personnel in attendance, and a dominant showing by either player will surely book their plane ticket to Australia later this year.
Sunday test for French visitors
Two of the more clear-cut round of 16 ties in the bookmakers’ eyes come in France on Sunday as Bordeaux-Begles and Toulouse host Ulster and Sale Sharks, respectively.
Stade Chaban-Delmas and Stadium Toulouse are the settings for these matches and, no disrespect, it feels almost like a free hit for the Irish province and English team.
Both Ulster and Sale will arrive confident though and have the talent to land body blows at times but there’s more than a feeling that over the course of 80 minutes both Bordeaux and Toulouse will have far too much in the tank and cruise away with handsome wins, thus underlining the pair’s title credentials on both fronts this campaign.
The overlooked belter
There are 16 EPCR fixtures to feast your eyes on this weekend with rugby fans spoilt for choice but one match-up will almost certainly not get the spotlight it deserves, Castres v Benetton.
It’s hardly the heavyweight clash of La Rochelle v Munster or Toulon v Saracens, but if you fancy a hipster fixture, this one is certainly one for you.
Both coaches have named possibly their best teams possible as Benetton make history by becoming the first Italian club to make an appearance in the Champions Cup knockout stages. With the inspirational leader Juan Brex reportedly leaving the club at the end of the season and possibly joined by Tommaso Menoncello, the Italians will be eager to make this campaign a special one.
As for Castres, they will be keen to do one better than last season’s quarter-final exit and certainly have the grunt, grit and firepower to achieve that. This game has the potential to have it all: the outrageous, the beautiful and one that could come right down to the wire.
There is a wonderful clash of stats too with Castres scoring 49 per cent of their points in this season’s Champions Cup after the 60-minute mark – the highest rate of any side – while just 6% of Benetton Rugby’s points conceded have come in the final quarter, the lowest rate of any team this term. Additionally, Castres have kicked more than any other team during the pool stages (139) while Benetton had the joint-fewest (16) of the teams to progress to the knockouts.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/champions-cup-five-talking-points-including-the-lions-scrap-ronan-ogaras-struggles-and-the-hipster-fixture
