Champions Cup semi-final predictions: Winning margins and teams

The last four sides left in the competition boast a combined total of 12 European Cups, with Leinster clinching their fourth crown last year after a 15-12 victory over this season’s beaten quarter-finalists, Racing 92, in Bilbao.

This year Saracens will be bidding to reach their third Champions Cup final in four seasons when they take on fellow two-time winners Munster Rugby – making a record 14th European semi-final appearance – on Saturday at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

European Cup: Predictions for the semi-final

Saracens v Munster

Munster’s poor record in semi-finals in the last few years might be a concern ahead of their trip to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Saturday.

The 2006 and 2008 champions reached a record 14th European semi-final by edging out Edinburgh 17-13 at Murrayfield in the last eight, with wing Keith Earls scoring tries either side of half-time to secure victory.

Prediction: Saracens
Margin: Seven
RPI

Leinster v Toulouse

Leinster will try and move one step closer to becoming the first team to win five European Cups when they take on Toulouse in their semi-final clash over the weekend. Fresh from a thrilling quarter-final win over Ulster, Garry Ringrose said he expected a “special” clash.

Leinster won their fourth title last season when they beat Racing 92 15-12 in Bilbao, Toulouse have to go back to 2010 for their last European Cup.

“This match against Toulouse is really special,” the Irish international was quoted as saying by local media. “The two teams want to make history by aiming for a fifth title. It will be a huge motivation for all the players.”

Prediction: Leinster
Margin: Five
RPI

Toulouse, meanwhile, will have the image of the Notre Dame cathedral on their shirts for their Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster this weekend, the French club’s president Didier Lacroix announced on Tuesday.

The jerseys will then be auctioned off with profits given to the rebuilding efforts of the 850-years-old Parisian monument after its spire and roof collapsed on Monday in a spectacular blaze.

“It’s our way of supporting French heritage and for us to share our grief that we all have experienced after the fire which impacted one of France’s most important buildings,” Lacroix said.

One of the shirts will be given to the archbishop of Toulouse and 15 others will be put up for sale.