What Premiership Clubs Must Do To Progress To The Champions Cup Playoffs

January 10, 2020
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Ultimate Rugby

The Premiership has seven teams in the competition but at the moment only two looks as if they are going to make it to the knockout phase of the competition. The likes of Sale, Bath and Harlequins are unfortunately out the running already but the likes of Northampton, Saracens and Gloucester still could still join Exeter who are almost through.

Let’s take a closer look at what the permutations look like for the English sides:

Who are the current top eight seeds

1. Leinster - 19 points (Q)

2. Exeter - 19 points

3. Toulouse - 18 points

4. Racing 92 - 17 points

5. Ulster - 17 points

6. Clermont Auvergne - 16 points

7. Munster - 11 points

8. Gloucester - 9 points

Make-up for the quarter-finals will be as follows:

Seed 1 v Seed 8 (Quarter-final 1)

Seed 4 v Seed 5 (QF 2)

Seed 3 v Seed 6 (QF 3)

Seed 2 v Seed 7 (QF 4)

Make-up for the semi-finals:

Semi-final 1: Winner QF1 v winner QF 2

Semi-final 2: Winner QF3 v winner QF4

Northampton Saints

The Saints remain in contention for one of the best runners-up spots if they able to get wins over Benetton and Lyon. The French and the Italian side have only won one game this season and are coming against a Premiership side with lots of form.

Remaining fixtures:

12 January 2020 - Northampton vs Benetton

18 January 2020 - Lyon vs Northampton

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter have put their previous European struggles firmly behind them as they have racked up four wins from four. Rob Baxter's men are currently within touching distance of a home quarter-final but they have a challenging fixture this weekend against Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Sale Sharks are unlikely to go through and will need a number of favours to make the playoffs which is why Steve Diamond has gone for a youthful side to face La Rochelle this weekend.

Remaining fixtures:

12 January 2020 - Glasgow vs Exeter

18 January 2020 - Exeter vs La Rochelle

Saracens

The pool Saracens finds themself in is still wide open but they will need to win both matches if wanting to sneak first place. Sarries will expect to take maximum points from their trip to Wales to play Ospreys, which would leave Munster requiring a win away to Racing 92 in order to keep fate in their own hands.

Remaining fixtures:

11 January 2020 - Ospreys vs Saracens

19 January 2020 - Saracens vs Racing 92

Gloucester

Johan Ackermann’s Gloucester suffered a late collapse against Connacht in their last Champions Cup outing but a home win over struggling Montpellier would keep them in the hunt heading into the final round of pool games. The side that plays in red and white is currently in the eighth playoff place and will need to pick up points if they are to stay there.