Ospreys vs. Castres Friday December 13th,
Liberty stadium; K.O.8.00pm
The
Ospreys have a proud record at the Liberty of no French team has won there
since 2004 and they will be determined to keep that record intact after losing
to Leinster in their opening game. They will have reluctantly had to accept
that the European dream is over and now they need to concentrate on the Rabo
Pro12. With that in mind going into the Xmas period of local derbies they will
want to do so with a win over the French champions as a positive sign of
intent. The selection of Sam Davies at full back is a sign of confidence in a
very promising player as is the decision to rest AWJ. Ospreys should have too
much for a disinterested Castres at a wet and cold Liberty. Castres have made
several changes and the side has a lop sided feel to it.
Prediction
Ospreys
by 5+
Glasgow vs. Cardiff
Blues Friday
December 13th, Scotstoun Stadium; K.O. 8.00pm
The
weather forecast is for a “Dreich night” and that will suit a Glasgow side
smarting at their defeat last Friday. Changes have been to the side that have
strengthened the team with players with a point to prove. While the Blues have
had to rejig their side, with match winner Rhys Patchell having to move to
centre Phil Davies will learn much more about his players by how they front up
to the challenge Glasgow will certainly present.
Prediction
Glasgow
by 10+
Connacht vs. Toulouse Saturday December 14th, Galway
Sportsgrounds; K.O. 18.00pm
Toulouse
will be grateful to have this chance for revenge to come around so soon.
Connacht will know what to expect and they will need to be at their very best
to withstand what is sure to be an onslaught of brutal beauty. Their greatest
ally could be the weather but Toulouse should emerge from the contest as victors
but their chances of securing a much needed bonus point victory would be
unlikely.
Prediction
Toulouse
by 3+
Saracens vs. Zebre Saturday December 14th, Allianz
Park K.O. 15.00pm
A
return to the comforts of home will suit the Saracens buoyed up by their
comprehensive victory last week in Padua and the surprise defeat of Toulouse
the group is now wide open again. Saracens will play with passion, precision
and pace and the Zebre will be scattered to all corners of the Saracens’
plastic pitch.
Prediction
Saracens
by 15+
Treviso vs. Ulster Saturday December 14th, Stadio
Comunale di Monigo K.O. 13.35
Ulster
are on the march playing with a brutal intelligence their forwards playing with
unbridled belligerence and Ruan Piennar pulling the strings they will be too
much of a handful for Treviso. Treviso are a good team at home and always play
with courage and ability but Ulster have the look of champions about them and
they will sweep Treviso aside.
Prediction
Ulster
by 15+
Toulon vs. Exeter Saturday December 14th, Stade
Mayol K.O. 13.35
Back
to the Stade Mayol, back into the welcoming arms of the raucous Pilou Pilou.
Toulon will be relishing being back at home and after the hard won victory at
Sandy Park will be determined to put on a show for their fans. The
disappointment of last week will be equally felt by Exeter who will not fear
the trip to the South of France, they have won many games when declared the
rank outsiders and like nothing better than to spoil a party. But Toulon will
have been piqued by the opprobrium heaped upon them as not playing like the
champions of Europe and they will be looking to impose themselves on the
competition.
Prediction
Toulon
by 15+
Scarlets vs. Clermont Saturday December 14th,
Parc y Scarlets K.O. 15.40
Clermont
will be targeting this game, knowing that they want to try and put some
daylight between themselves and ‘Quins. Scarlets will not bend at the knee for
these French rugby aristocrats but they will need to play at their best to hold
them, and Clermont will need to play badly for the Scarlets to win.
Prediction
Clermont by 10
Perpignan vs. Munster December 14th, Stade Aimé
Giral K.O. 15.40
Perpignan
are a different and difficult prospect back in Catalonia and Munster are
developing they have yet to discover the mongrel of old. Perpignan are aware
that they need to rediscover their home form otherwise a top 6 place in the
French championship could be beyond them. So, they will want to win this game
and will seek to blow Munster off the park and on their day they are more than
capable of doing so. It will be a tough and close match but Perpignan will just
shade it.
Prediction
Perpignan
by 3-5
Harlequins vs. Racing
Metro December 15th,
Twickenham Stoop K.O. 12.45
Racing
has to stop the rot, they have lost too many games and this expensively
constructed side appears to have lost its way. Last week they were torn apart
by an excellent ‘Quins side who will fancy their chances of a repeat
performance. Yet Racing has the returning Roberts to bolster midfield, Philips
will relish his battle with Danny Care and up front the Racing pack has plenty
to offer. But, ‘Quins will not be complacent and will be well prepared. They
can play a fast and open game as well as mix it when needed. Evans and Brown
will pull the strings and Easter and Robshaw will keep the Racing pack honest.
Prediction
Harlequins
by 7
Gloucester vs.
Edinburgh
December 15th, Kingsholm K.O. 15.00
Gloucester
needed that win last week and they showed that they are a team to fear.
Kingsholm has seen far too many defeats this season and the Gloucester faithful
will be phlegmatically optimistic about this game. Gloucester has the pack to
dominate Edinburgh and from that platform Burns et al should be able to cut
loose. If Gloucester can score early on then Edinburgh will crumble and the
Kingsholm faithful will be able to enjoy themselves.
Prediction
Gloucester
by 15+
Montpelier vs.
Leicester December
15th, Stade Yves-du-Manoir K.O. 15.00
Arguably
the game of the weekend, where for Leicester, a defeat would be disastrous; and
they would probably fail to qualify for the knock out stages. Montpellier will
be determined to make up for the errors that last week cost them a losing bonus
point after pulling themselves back into a game that the Tigers were
dominating. Certainly Leicester coach Richard Cockerell is under no illusions
and expects it to be a fiery and hard encounter. Montpellier is playing well in
the Top14 and their home record is formidable, Leicester will need to play a
canny game to get anything there. Ulster went there and took Montpellier by
surprise and went toe to toe winning the game by a good margin. It is debatable
whether Leicester has the firepower to emulate that approach. This game could
well be decided by narrow margins and Leicester’s discipline at the breakdown
in particular will need to be at his best and Flood will need to put recent the
speculation behind him and kick his goals.
Prediction
Leicester
by 3 or less
No comments:
Post a Comment