BOD's predictions for the Champions Cup Round 6

As we enter into the final weekend of Champions Cup games there are still 12 teams in contention for a place in the quarter-finals with Toulon the only side to have guaranteed a quarter-final place after their win against Ulster last weekend. With games taking place on Saturday and Sunday there is expected to be a lot of changes throughout the weekend with teams jumping in and out of the quarter-final places. Here are the five pools and what result each team needs to secure a quarter-final place.

Pool 1

After ending two-time European champions Munster hopes of a quarter-final spot, Saracens now travel to the Stade Marcel Michelin needing a win against Clermont Auvergne to make it through to the knockout stages. They will regret not picking up a bonus-point against Munster because a losing bonus point may not be enough to put them through and they will have to wait for results in the other pools before they can celebrate a quarter-final place. As for Clermont a win for them will guarantee them a home quarter-final while a losing bonus point should be enough for them to progress.

Brian's prediction:

• Clermont to top group.
• Saracens to go through with losing bonus point against Clermont

Pool 2

In pool 2 there are still three teams in contention for a quarter-final place.  After defeating Harlequins, Wasps are now on the brink of becoming the first side to reach the quarter-finals after losing their opening two games. They meet Leinster on Saturday knowing that a win will put them through, but they will have to wait for results from the other pools to see if they have secured a home quarter-final. As for Leinster their destiny is their own hands, beat Wasps and they top the group and will have a home quarter-final. Harlequins defeat to Wasps has now given them the slimmest of chances of a place in the final eight. They will need to defeat Castres while also picking up a four-try bonus point and hope results go their way in the other pools.

Brian's Prediction: 

• Leinster to top group and only team to qualify from pool.

Pool 3

Reigning champions Toulon are the only side to have guaranteed qualification going into the penultimate round of games after hammering Ulster last Saturday. They will now look for a win away to Scarlets to secure them a home quarter-final. The other game in the pool see’s Leicester Tigers travelling to Ravenhill needing a win and four tries against Ulster to put themselves into contention of a quarter-final place. However they will need a big win against Ulster to increase their points difference as they are only +1 at the moment. Out of all the sides who are still in contention they have the lowest points difference by a considerable amount and if they are level with another team it will go down to points difference meaning they will miss out on a quarter-final place.

Brian's prediction: 

• Toulon have already booked their place in the Quarter Finals.
  
  

Pool 4

Toulouse missed out on the chance of booking a quarter-final place after their defeat to Bath last Sunday and will be hoping to confirm their place in the last eight at the second time of asking with a win over Montpellier. However their defeat to Bath now means that they might miss out on a home quarter-final and will need results from the other pools to go their way. The other game in the pool is a winner-takes all affair with Bath and Glasgow both needing wins to book a place in the quarter-finals. With the possibility of many sides finishing on 18 points Glasgow might need a four-try bonus point along with the win to guarantee them a place in the quarters. As for Bath that bonus point win against Toulouse makes matters a bit easier for them with a win looking like being enough to book them a place in the final eight.

Brian's prediction: 

• Toulouse to win the group.
• Bath qualifying as a runner up.

Pool 5

Unlike the other four pools both Northampton Saints and Racing Metro know what they need to do regardless of results from the other games. Whoever wins the games at Franklin Gardens will guarantee themselves a home quarter-final. The loser of the game will need to pick up a losing bonus point to guarantee a place in the quarters and depending on results from the other pools that could be enough for a home quarter-final. The other scenario is a draw where both sides would be guaranteed a home quarter-final.