Who needs what in European Champions Cup
CHAMPIONS CUP SPOTLIGHT: The sixth and final round of pool matches in the 2018/2019 European Champions Cup will take place this weekend.
See below for who needs what to qualify for the quarterfinals:
Pool One:
Defending champions Leinster travel to winless Wasps on Sunday in the knowledge that a victory would hand them a home quarterfinal. The Irish province sit atop Pool One on 20 points after notching up a bonus-point win over Toulouse last week. The Top 14 side, in second on 17 points, will be gunning for maximum points when they host Bath. Victories for both Leinster and Toulouse would see both sides qualify for the quarters.
Pool Two:
Exeter roared back into contention in Pool Two when they despatched French champions Castres with a bonus-point 34-12 win last weekend. That victory left them second on 13 points behind Munster (17) and has lined up arguably the tie of the sixth and final round of pool action as the English Premiership club travel to Limerick to take on the Irishmen. Should Exeter win by more than seven points, and Munster fail to score four tries, then the English side would top the pool while it’s highly unlikely 17 points would be enough for Munster to qualify as runners-up.
Pool Three:
Saracens are the sole side to have won all five of their pool matches, sitting pretty on 23 points. As the only side already mathematically qualified for the knock-out stages, they will be playing for home advantage when they entertain a buoyant Glasgow, standing second on 19 points. A bonus-point win for the Scottish side, with no extras for Saracens, would guarantee they and not Owen Farrell’s club finish top. However, Glasgow’s 19 points should also be enough for them to progress in second place, providing one of Montpellier, Ulster or Toulouse are beaten.
Pool Four:
Racing92 were brought down to earth by Ulster last week, the sole dent in their campaign. The Top 14 side have notched up 21 points with Ulster second on 18. Scarlets travel to Paris while Ulster have a tricky trip to Leicester to negotiate to determine the Pool Four winner. Ulster’s tally of 18 points could be enough to see them progress, providing two of Toulouse, Exeter or Montpellier are beaten.
Pool Five:
Pool Five will be the first to come to a head as Edinburgh take on Montpellier on Friday. The Scots lead the pool, on 19 points, and victory will see them top the group ahead of the Top 14 side, currently second on 16 points. If Montpellier were to beat Edinburgh and deny the Scots a bonus point then they would top the pool.
Note: Group winners and three best runners-up qualify for quarterfinals
Agence France-Presse
