Round 4 of the Champions Cup starts on Friday night before the weekend throws up some mouth-watering fixtures that we now look to predict.
Leinster v Exeter and Wasps v La Rochelle are the two games we have picked but there are big matches everywhere that have plenty of subplots.
This round is always fascinating as revenge and some needle is in the air following last weekend. Let us get into how we think they will play out.
Two star-studded sides will face off at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Leinster look to do the double over the Chiefs, which would see them put one foot in the knockout stage. Exeter meanwhile know a loss would leave them with a mountain to climb if they are to progress.
Leinster, in front of their home fans in Dublin, will be tough to beat and, while the Premiership champions are a force, they need to vary their game and stretch Leinster with width instead of taking them on up front. If they do we are in for a thoroughly entertaining fixture.
But we see Leinster getting over the line with their noses in front, with their half-back duo a crucial area where they have an edge. Leinster by 3.
What a performance that was from the Frenchmen last week. We can now add them as serious title challengers in both Europe and the Top 14.
If they can go to Wasps and win then their price of 6/1 to win the tournament will be cut dramatically. No team will want to travel to La Rochelle in the knockouts and with an unbeaten record at home – if they can win at Wasps – a home route to a possible final is very much on.
Expect tries aplenty once again between these two and if La Rochelle can replicate last weekend then they should win. La Rochelle by two – use the latest no deposit bonus that’s on offer if you are going to place a bet.
Other Champions Cup predictions:
Ulster vs Harlequins: Ulster by 10
Benetton Rugby vs Scarlets: Scarlets by 6
Montpellier vs Glasgow Warriors: Montpellier by 15
Racing 92 vs Castres: Racing 92 by 5
Bath vs Toulon: Bath by 5
Ospreys vs Northampton: Ospreys by 8
Clermont Auvergne vs Saracens: Clermont by 10
Leicester vs Munster: Leicester by 3
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