Heineken Champions Cup preview
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Antoine Dupont, captain of Toulouse celebrates with team mates after their victory during the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between La Rochelle and Toulouse at Twickenham Stadium on May 22, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into the stadium as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The Heineken Champions Cup has been torn apart once more by the coronavirus cancellation controversy with six matches called off, as the integrity of this year’s tournament is threatened once more.
Montpellier vs Leinster, Bath vs La Rochelle, Sale Sharks vs Clermont, Munster vs Castres, Scarlets vs Bordeaux Begles and Racing 92 vs Ospreys have been called off after the French government effectively closed their borders to the UK due to rising Omicron cases there.
Leinster said they were ‘disappointed’ that Montpellier were awarded a 28-0 forfeit win, after it was revealed that both sides had Covid in their camps but were cleared by their governments to play having been through nine rounds of tests this week.
The EPCR were informed by the Ospreys that they had several positive Covid-19 test results among their workforce and cannot fulfil their fixture. Therefore, five points and an obligatory 28-0 win was handed to Racing.
It is expected that the proposed visiting French sides in the other four games will suffer a 28-0 forfeit loss, with five points going to their opponents.
The financial implications of cancelled games are huge, as it was reported that Bristol Bears lost £300,000 due to refunded tickets and missed match-day revenue after last week’s cancelled fixture with the Scarlets.
Nevertheless, as far as we know five encounters are set to take place over the course of the weekend.
The action kicks off tonight at Ravenhill Stadium as Ulster welcome Northampton Saints, with two games set to be played on the Saturday and three on the Sunday.
Friday
Ulster vs Northampton Saints
A near sell-out home crowd is desperate for tonight’s match at Ravenhill to be played after last week’s impressive 29-23 away victory over Clermont Auvergne.
Northampton endured a difficult start to their campaign as they were thumped 45-14 at home to Racing 92.
Ulster captain Iain Henderson returns as part of three changes from last week’s win as Marty Moore returns at tighthead and Craig Gilroy comes in to start on the right wing.
The Saints have made six changes after last week’s dismal performance, with fullback Ahsee Tuala making his first start of the season.
Alex Waller and Mike Haywood come into a new look front row, while Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood return in the pack, with George Furbank returning at 10.
Saturday
Harlequins vs Cardiff Rugby
The visitors were dealt another blow in the week as it was revealed that none of the Cardiff players in Covid quarantine will be considered for this weekend’s game.
With 42 players out through quarantine, injury or suspension, Cardiff had to call on academy youngsters and semi-pros to fulfil their fixture against Toulouse.
Despite a spirited performance, the home side were beaten 39-7 but face the daunting task of facing the Premiership champions.
Harlequins kicked off their Champions Cup campaign with an impressive away 20-18 victory over Castres, inflicting the hosts first home loss in 2021.
Quins make four changes to their starting XV as Joe Marchant, Santiago Garcia Botta, Simon Kerrod and Jack Kenningham return.
Rey Lee-Lo is back for Cardiff and reunites with Willis Halaholo in the centres, whilst debutant Cameron Winnett starts, with Dan Fish at fly half.
Glasgow Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs
The home side came away from the opening round with just a solitary losing bonus point despite a spirited performance away to La Rochelle.
Exeter kicked off their campaign with a 42-6 thrashing of Montpellier courtesy of a hat-trick from second row Jonny Gray but know they’ll be in for a much tougher encounter this weekend.
The game marks a first competitive return for Gray to his old stomping ground after his transfer from Glasgow to Exeter in 2020.
Danny Wilson has made just one change from last weekend’s narrow defeat with Jamie Bhatti replacing Oli Kebble in the front row.
Exeter also make just one change as Sam Nixon comes in at tight-head for Josh Iosefa-Scott.
On Sunday, The Rugby Paper will have exclusive match reports and reactions to Friday and Saturday’s games, as well as previews of Sunday’s game.
