Champions Cup, Round Three - Teams and Predictions

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PREVIEW: There will be desperation for some and concern about seedings for others so everyone has much to play for as the Champions Cup pool phase goes into the third round this weekend.

Whereas some teams are on the cusp of qualifying for the round of 16, and an elite few may even feel quite secure that they have pretty much already done so, there are still seedings on the line.

The way the competition works, the top eight teams in each pool advance, with the first-placed team in Pool A facing the last-placed team in Pool B, and vice-versa.

The way it stands at the moment, Pool A leaders Leinster would advance to a round of 16 tie against Clermont-Auvergne, with LaRochelle playing against Gloucester. However, the Pool phase is only half completed and much can happen in these remaining two weeks.

Of the URC teams looking for qualification, the three South African teams are all well placed if they win this weekend, with the Sharks hosting their return game against Bordeaux Begles while the Stormers are away against a London Irish team that was in a feisty mood and came back strongly at them in the second half of the second round game in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs head to South Africa this weekend to play the Bulls at Loftus and have made it clear they want the top seeding, so that can be seen as a challenge thrown down to Leinster, who lost in dramatic fashion to a last-gasp La Rochelle score in the 2021/2022 final.

Bulls backline coach Chris Rossouw, who is in charge this week with Jake White recovering from surgery, believes his team has a pack that can cause Exeter a few problems.

“We got a good pack and it has been one of the strengths of the Bulls over the years,” said Rossouw.

“They are dominant, they are physical and then they can play the fast game. Playing at Loftus, we would like to mix that up and then use the altitude to get an advantage.”

The Bulls have also learnt a few lessons from their 14-44 defeat to Exeter at Sandy Park in Round Two. On that day, the Pretoria franchise fielded a team missing a few big names.

“We all know Exeter are renowned for their execution in the 22, so if they get in there they are quite effective,” Rossouw explained.

“We know they really don’t play in their half so when you get into the middle of the field they are quite prepared to play and build phases.

‘When we played them last time some guys stayed at home, but if you look back at that game we were early up then they scored two tries and then we were held up twice.

“If we got those two tries it was a different picture and the tries they got were basically off silly errors we made in the middle of the field.

“We are really looking forward to this week. The guys have prepped well and the only way to test yourself is against the best and to show that you can do it.”

In Durban, the Sharks have loaded their matchday squad with international stars for their clash against Bordeaux.

It means the Sharks will head into the match as favourites, but Director of Rugby Neil Powell said they will be fools if they underestimate the French club.

“They are one of the top teams in the Top14. It is tough opposition to play against,” said Powell.

“They are very unpredictable and they will try and get you unstructured in your defence and run at you from an attacking perspective.

“But in the way they play, they also give you opportunities.

“I am happy with the 23 that we selected and hopefully they can do the job for us tomorrow [Saturday] afternoon.”

The hot and humid conditions in Durban could also be a big factor on the day.

“It will only play to our advantage if we play the conditions correctly,” the Sharks boss added.

“We have a plan to play Bordeaux in these conditions.

“It is totally different to the conditions that they know. It is hot and humid and I think the ball will be tricky to keep in hand and to really play an expansive game.

“We need to plan accordingly.”

While the Sharks and the Bulls will be enjoying home comforts, the Stormers are in England preparing for their clash against London Irish at the Brentford Community Stadium.

The Stormers claimed a 34-14 bonus point win over the Exiles in Round Two in Cape Town. However, Stormers head coach John Dobson believes that scoreline is a bit deceiving.

“It will be incredibly tough. I think they are in from,” said Dobson.

“They have one of the most exciting players in the Premiership in [Ollie] Hassell-Collins.

“It’s going to be a real ball-in-hand game.

“The score definitely flattered us in Cape Town, so this will be a great test.

“We know we have to win one of the next two games to get through to the last 16.

“It would be nice if it was this weekend, but that is much easier said than done.”

Saturday and Sunday’s teams and predictions follow below:

Saturday, January 14:

Gloucester v Leinster
(Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Leinster by 10 points.

Teams:

Gloucester: 15 George Barton, 14 Jonny May, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Freddie Clarke, 3 Kirill Gotovtsev, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Tom Seabrook.

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose (captain), 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Liam Turner.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baqué (France) & Flavien Hourquet (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)

Sale Sharks v Toulouse
(AJ Bell Stadium, Salford – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT; 14.00 France time)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Sale Sharks by three points.

Teams:

Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Sam James, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Arron Reed, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Gus Warr, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Ben Curry (captain), 6 Jono Ross, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simon McIntyre.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 James Harper, 19 Josh Beaumont, 20 Sam Dugdale, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Tom Curtis, 23 Luke James.

Toulouse: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Juan Cruz Mallía, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Sofiane Guitoune, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Alexandre Roumat, 7 Alban Placines, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Joshua Brennan, 20 Jack Willis, 21 Rynhardt Elstadt, 22 Dimitri Delibes, 23 Arthur Retiere.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Dave Sutherland (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)

Sharks v Bordeaux-Begles
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 17.15; 16.15 France time; 15.15 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Sharks by 12 points.

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Geoffrey Cros, 13 Tani Vili, 12 Yoram Falatea-Moefana, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Matéo Garcia, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Corentin Coularis, 6 Renato Giammarioli, 5 Alban Roussel, 4 Thomas Jolmes, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Christopher Vaotoa.
Replacements: 16 Connor Sa, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Jandré Marais, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Jules Gimbert, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Pablo Uberti.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Munster v Northampton Saints
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Munster by Five points.

Teams:

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Roman Salanoa, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Liam Coombes.

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 James Ramm, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Lewis Ludlam (captain), 7 Courtney Lawes, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Alex Moon, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Courtnall Skosan.

Referee: Tual Trainini (France)
Assistant Referees: Adrien Descottes (France) & Christophe Bultet (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Bulls v Exeter Chiefs
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK & Ireland time; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Exeter by two points.

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck Du Plessis, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lionel Mapoe.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade (captain), 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Jack Dunne, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Innard, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 James Kenny, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Rory O’Loughlin.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas (France) & Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

La Rochelle v Ulster
(Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle – Kick-off: 18.30; 17.30 UK & Ireland time; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: La Rochelle by 11 points.

Teams:

La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Pierre Boudehent, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Thomas Berjon, 8 Grégory Alldritt (captain), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Remi Bourdeau, 5 Rémi Picquette, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Georges Henri Colombe, 2 Samuel Lagrange, 1 Thierry Paiva.
Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Romain Sazy, 20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Pierre Popelin, 23 Raymond Rhule.

Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Rob Lyttle, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Iain Henderson (captain), 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Andy Warwick, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 David McCann, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Ethan McIlroy.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Alex Thomas (England) & Charlie Gayther (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Saracens v Lyon
(StoneX Stadium, Barnet – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT; 21.00 France time)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Saracens by 14 points.

Teams:

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ivan Van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Andy Christie, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Theo Dan, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Alex Lewington.

Lyon: 15 Ethan Dumortier, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Josiah Maraku, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Tavite Veredamu, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Jonathan Pélissié (captain), 8 Arno Botha, 7 Patrick Sobela, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Joel Kpoku, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Guillaume Marchand, 1 Hamza Kaabèche.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Theo William, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Beka Saginadze, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Toby Arnold.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Alex Frasson (Italy) & Manuel Bottino (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Ospreys v Montpellier
(Swansea Stadium, Swansea – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT; 21.00 France time)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Montpellier by eight points.

Teams:

Ospreys: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Mike Collins, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jac Morgan, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Rhys Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tom Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Huw Sutton, 21 Morgan Morris, 22 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 23 George North.

Montpellier: 15 Anthony Bouthier, 14 Julien Tisseron, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Vincent Rattez, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Leo Coly, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Alexandre Becognee, 6 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 5 Paul Willemse (captain), 4 Bastien Chalureau, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Enzo Forletta.
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 George Tuinukuafe, 18 Mohamed Haouas, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Pierre Lucas, 22 Ben Lam, 23 Yacouba Camara.

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Craig Maxwell-Keys (England) & Phil Watters (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Sunday, January 15:

London Irish v Stormers
(Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT; 15.00 SA time)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Stormers by seven points.

Teams:

London Irish: 15 Ben Loader, 14 Lucio Cinti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Rory Jennings, 9 Ben White, 8 Matt Rogerson (captain), 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Mike Willemse, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Ciaran Parker, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Josh Basham, 21 Chandler Cunningham-South, 22 Joe Powell, 23 Michael Dykes.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
Assistant Referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France) & Stéphane Crapoix (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)

Castres v Edinburgh
(Stade Pierre Fabre, Castres – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 UK & Ireland time; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Castres by 13 points.

Teams:

Castres: 15 Thomas Larregain, 14 Martin Laveau, 13 Vilimoni Botitu, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Geoffrey Palis, 10 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 9 Gauthier Doubrere, 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 7 Josaia Raisuqe, 6 Baptiste Cope, 5 Théo Hannoyer, 4 Leone Nakarawa (captain), 3 Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Quentin Walcker.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Colonna, 17 Matthew Tierney, 18 Aurélien Azar, 19 Ryno Pieterse, 20 Thomas Staniforth, 21 Kevin Kornath, 22 Santiago Arata Perrone, 23 Adrea Cocagi.

Edinburgh: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Cammy Hutchison, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Charlie Savala, 9 Charlie Shiel, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Jamie Ritchie (co-captain), 6 Sam Skinner, 5 Grant Gilchrist (co-captain), 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Boan Venter, 18 WP Nel, 19 Jamie Hodgson, 20 Nick Haining, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Jack Blain.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace (England) & Neil Chivers (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)

Racing 92 v Harlequins
(Paris La Defense Arena, Paris – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK &Ireland time; 15.15 GMT)

Prediction

@rugby365com: Racing 92 by seven points.

Teams:

Racing 92: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Donovan Taofifenua, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Maxime Baudonne, 7 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 6 Ibrahim Diallo, 5 Boris Palu, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Guram Gogichashvili.
Replacements: 16 Péniami Narisia, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Anthime Hemery, 20 Kitione Kamikamica, 21 Antoine Gibert, 22 Olivier Klemenczak, 23 Max Spring.

Harlequins: 15 Nick David, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aaron Morris, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Will Evans, 6 Luke Wallace, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 George Head, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker 17 Jordan Els 18 Simon Kerrod 19 George Hammond 20 Tom Lawday 21 Lewis Gjaltema 22 Oscar Beard 23 Will Edwards.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Peter Martin (Ireland) & Oisin Quinn (Ireland)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)