Saturday 16 December

Stormers 52/100 | Draw 20/1 | La Rochelle 16/10 (15:00)

Handicap
Stormers (-4.5) 17/20 | La Rochelle (+4.5) 17/20

A weakened Stormers went down 26-35 to Tigers at Welford Street of their opener final week however can be seeking to make home-ground benefit depend in opposition to present back-to-back champions La Rochelle right here. Final season’s URC runners-up have the squad depth and expertise to go deep into the competitors however to do this profitable video games at house have to be a non-negotiable, even in opposition to Prime 14 juggernauts like Les Maritimes.

Ronan O’Gara’s boys fell to a disappointing 9-16 house defeat to Leinster in a rematch of the earlier two Champions Cup finals which has positively set them again. Whereas it stays to be seen simply what number of frontline gamers will make the journey to the Mom Metropolis, no matter aspect is picked will nonetheless be aggressive sufficient to seize a dropping bonus level on the very least.

Verdict: La Rochelle (+4.5) 17/20

ROG and his expenses ought to deliver the struggle to Cape City, although a win ought to simply be out of attain.

Lyon 27/100 | Draw 21/1 | Bulls 29/10 (19:30)

Handicap
Lyon (-8.5) 17/20 | Bulls (+8.5) 17/20

Lyon fell to Bears by simply two factors in a 34-36 thriller at Ashton Gate in spherical one. Regardless of that loss, the Prime 14 outfit confirmed monumental stones to come back again from 33-15 down and even take the lead earlier than Callum Sheedy’s Eighty fifth-minute profitable drop purpose. Again on the Matmut for this one, you’d would suppose Fabien Gengenbacher may have sufficient assets at his disposal to carry off the in-form Bulls.

The guests have gained their final three in all comps and final week put full-strength Saracens to the sword in a cushty 27-16 win at Loftus. That stated, enjoying in France is all the time a singular problem and one which may very well be a step too far for this group of gamers.

Verdict: Bulls (+8.5) 17/20

Whereas it ought to be one other shut name, Lyon may edge it.

Ulster 92/100 | Draw 20/1 | Racing 19/20 (22:00)

Ulster fell 14-37 to Tub at The Rec final week and should see off the Prime 14 table-toppers right here to maintain alive their European dream. The Kingspan trustworthy ought to positively give them a carry on this regard, although Racing’s forwards would possibly will give them issues at set piece time in addition to within the collisions.

The Parisians performed some implausible footy in opposition to Harlequins final week earlier than in the end succumbing to a irritating three-point defeat at La Protection Enviornment. They’ll be aching to bounce again on Saturday and could condemn the hosts to a different loss.

Verdict: Racing 19/20

Get on the French membership to trigger some chaos in Belfast and seize the win.

Sunday 17 December

Harlequins 21/20 | Draw 20/1 | Toulouse 83/100 (17:15)

Harlequins earned the very best results of their season to this point of their 31-28 win at Racing 92 in spherical one, with that efficiency positive to spur them on as their marketing campaign progresses. Tabai Matson’s expenses have been 17-28 down heading into the ultimate quarter earlier than two tries within the house of five-minutes put them right into a lead from which they didn’t look again.

Toulouse will arrive at The Stoop in detached type regardless of seeing off Cardiff 52-7 on the Ernest-Wallon final week. The reigning Prime 14 champions at the moment occupy sixth after some haphazard performances, and so they might meet their match in London given how ‘Quins are enjoying at current.

Verdict: Quins at 21/20

At 21/20, Quins are good worth.

Quickfire predictions

• Bayonne v Glasgow Verdict: Bayonne
• Northampton v Toulon: Northampton
• Saracens v Connacht: Saracens
• Leinster v Sale: Leinster
• Bordeaux v Bristol: Bordeaux
• Cardiff v Tub: Tub
• Stade Francais v Leicester: Stade
• Exeter v Munster: Exeter