The final weekend of the Champions Cup pool stage promises an exciting round of matches, shaping the destiny of teams vying for spots in the knockout stages.
As the top four teams from each pool enter the last 16 and fifth place drops into the Challenge Cup, the stakes are high with everything still to play for.
The four pool winners are poised to enjoy home advantage in the last 16 and quarter-final, with the top two remaining seeds securing the privilege of playing in their own country in the semi-finals.
The significance of home advantage was evident last season, where every last 16, quarter-final, and semi-final match was won by the team with home advantage, and this weekend is pivotal in shaping the tournament, promising dramatic acwtion across nine games on Friday and Saturday.
Matthew Luddington provides a preview of the upcoming fixtures.
Friday
In Galway at 8pm, winless Connacht face Bristol, aiming to leapfrog their adversaries and secure at least a Challenge Cup spot. Bristol know that a healthy victory is vital for their hopes, as they need to match or better Saracens’ result against Lyon on Saturday to qualify.
Glasgow suffered an agonising defeat to Exeter last week after Euan Ferrie’s last gasp try was disallowed for offside, but buoyed by fervent support at Scotstoun Stadium face Toulon at 8pm, knowing a victory will clinch a last 16 place.
Toulon remain winless after three games, but the three-time champions can put themselves in contention to qualify with a win here, and with a side full of match winners, cannot be written off.
Saturday
Harlequins secured their qualification last week with an impressive eight-try win in Cardiff, and now confront Ulster at The Stoop at 1pm, eyeing a bonus-point win to exert pressure on Bath for second spot in the pool.
Ulster need a win to guarantee their progression, but will be confident having beaten Harlequins in all of their six encounters.
The Bulls were highly impressive against Bristol and return to Pretoria for an electrifying clash against Bordeaux at 1pm. The French side have picked up a perfect 15 points and routed Saracens 55-15 last week in one of the most impressive displays of the tournament.
Racing 92 remain winless but can still qualify for the last 16 with a victory against Cardiff at 3pm if Ulster fail to beat Harlequins.
Stuart Lancaster’s star-studded side will want to put on a show in Paris in front of their fans, but Cardiff will be looking to spoil the party and keep their own European season alive.
Leicester, after a tough loss against La Rochelle, face Leinster at 3pm, in a blockbuster clash between two giants of European Rugby. Leicester have never beaten Leinster, but will be eyeing victory here to show they can beat the best sides in Europe, whilst Leinster have their sights on a top seed for the knockout stage.
Munster, buoyed by a sensational victory in Toulon, face Northampton at 5:30pm at Thormond Park, and will be full of confidence having beaten the Saints in their last six encounters. Northampton are a different beast this year however, and having routed Bayonne in their last game they know victory here would secure a top seed.
Stade Francais cannot qualify for the last 16 but can still reach The Challenge Cup and face The Stormers at 5.30pm at the Stade Jean-Bouin. The Stormers know victory in Paris is vital to secure a home last 16 match in Cape Town.
Saracens suffered their heaviest ever defeat in Europe to Bordeaux last week, and face Lyon at 8pm at the StoneX Stadium, aiming to secure a last 16 spot. Saracens will know what result they require to qualify based on the outcome of Connacht vs Bristol on Friday evening, and the three-time champions need to rediscover their identity fast against a dangerous Lyon side who can secure a home last 16 tie with victory in North London.
For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.
