Investec Champions Cup Predictions – Quarter-finals

We’re down to the elite eight with four mouth-watering Investec Champions Cup quarter-final clashes set for this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The action will start in Dublin, where Leinster lock horns with the Glasgow Warriors on Friday night.

Bordeaux-Begles will battle Munster at Stade Chaban-Delmas in the first of Saturday’s two ties, with the Northampton Saints squaring off with Castres in the other at Franklin’s Gardens.

Finally, Toulon take on defending champions Toulouse at Stade Félix Mayol.

Leinster v Glasgow Warriors

When: Friday, 11 April – 21:00

We kick things off with a preview of a possible United Rugby Championship final later this year with the top two teams in that competition colliding at the Aviva Stadium.

After a two-week tour of South Africa in which they rested their litany of Irish internationals, Leinster returned to full strength and showed just how mighty they are by hammering Harlequins 62-0 last weekend.

The Warriors were dominant in their own right, knocking out the Leicester Tigers 43-19, but Leinster look unstoppable right now with their elite attacking efficiency and stoic Jacques Nienaber-designed defence.

Prediction: Leinster by 14.
Suggested Bet: Glasgow Warriors +15 at 1.90.

Bordeaux-Begles v Munster

When: Saturday, 12 April – 16:00

For as imperious as top-ranked Bordeaux have been, they weren’t as commanding as expected against Ulster last weekend but still came away with a 43-31 win.

Faced with another Irish outfit, they’ll have to tighten up on defence to avoid suffering the same fate as former two-time champions La Rochelle, whom Munster eliminated with a thrilling 25-24 win away from home.

Munster are full of belief and have hit their straps. However, Bordeaux’s muscle up front and magic at the back should see them seal their place in the final four.

Prediction: Bordeaux-Begles by 9.
Suggested Bet: Munster +11 at 1.90.

Northampton Saints v Castres

When: Saturday, 12 April – 18:30

England’s hopes rest on Northampton, who cantered to a 46-24 victory over Clermont last weekend. The reigning Premiership champions are like poetry in motion at their peak with enough of a hard edge in their pack to be formidable on all fronts.

Castres needed a last-gasp try to edge Benetton 39-37 in their home last 16 clash. They did beat Saracens 32-24 on the road during the pool phase but have never tasted victory at Franklin’s Garden and have won just four of the 11 meetings between the teams.

Those facts, coupled with Castres’ dodgy discipline, should see the Saints march on.

Prediction: Northampton Saints by 10.
Suggested Bet: Castres +16 at 1.90.

Toulon v Toulouse

When: Sunday, 13 April – 16:00

A titanic French derby between two of the most decorated clubs in Investec Champions Cup history will wrap up the weekend’s action.

It initially looked as if three-time winners Toulon were underestimating a second-string Saracens side last weekend but ultimately blasted past them for a 72-42 win. It was the first time they’ve conceded more than 35 points at home all season and they’ll know they’ll have to be significantly sharper if they want to end Toulouse’s reign.

After shockingly trailing a spirited Sale Sharks side 15-10 at halftime, record six-time champions Toulouse showed their championship mentality by rebounding emphatically after the break. Ugo Mola’s men poured it on in the second half and kept the visitors scoreless to triumph 38-15.

The key difference between these two teams is Toulon’s consistency and Toulon’s lack thereof as the latter have alternated wins and losses in their last four games in all competitions. Thus, I’ll resist the temptation to back the home side.

Prediction: Toulouse by 3.
Suggested Bet: Toulon +5 at 1.90.