Romain Ntamack is ready to get his first begin for Toulouse this season as the highest seeds be a part of 15 different hopefuls within the knockout phases of the Champions Cup.
The five-time winners host Racing 92 – only one place under them within the Prime 14 desk – within the final of eight unpredictable and thrilling video games to be performed this weekend.
The spherical begins on Friday night time, with a sport between the one two sides within the final 16 who haven’t already confronted one another earlier this season.
Friday
Harlequins might be hoping they will finish their lengthy watch for a first-ever win in a knockout stage tie in Europe’s prime tier at 8pm, however face a stern check from Glasgow Warriors who’ve gained eight of their final 9 video games in all competitions and sit second within the United Rugby Championship (URC).
The guests welcome again Sione Tuipulotu for a primary look since January, considered one of 11 Scotland internationals of their line-up as Quins herald Irne Herbst and Will Collier to their beginning XV.
Saturday
Bulls host Lyon at 12:30pm within the first of many rematches, with the South African facet trying to avenge Le Lou’s 29-28 win earlier this season because the pair meet for the fourth time in solely two seasons.
That’s adopted by one other rematch, with Stormers assembly reigning champions La Rochelle at DHL Stadium, the identical venue the place they edged them out 21-20 in spherical two of the pool stage.
Of the dozen matches thus far performed in South Africa within the Champions Cup since their golf equipment joined final season, all have been gained by the house facet. Both that document, or La Rochelle’s ambition of a third-straight crown, might be dashed at 3pm.
On the identical time, Exeter Chiefs tackle Tub in a sport which visiting coach Johann van Graan admitted was massively necessary to the 1998 winners in The Rugby Paper final Sunday.
2020 winners Exeter will need to bounce again from a disappointing defeat to Sale Sharks final Saturday, and proceed their spectacular residence type within the match that has seen them previous Munster and Glasgow.
Saracens suffered a document European defeat after they final went to Bordeaux-Begles, and might be desperate to keep away from an identical hammering to the 55-15 scoreline they have been handed in January. Having proven improved type within the Premiership Saracens are as much as third, and may they progress may arrange a quarter-final with Harlequins – who they’ve themselves thrashed twice this season.
The day ends with Leinster taking over Leicester Tigers in knockout motion for the third straight season, and this would be the fourth assembly between the 2 sides in that point interval after Leinster dismantled the 2022 Premiership winners 27-10 at Welford Highway in January.
The match favourites might be again on the Aviva Stadium at 8pm trying to begin a third-straight cost in direction of the ultimate, with Leicester given odds of 9/1 to supply what can be an all-time nice European upset.
Sunday
Premiership leaders Northampton Saints will look to observe up their gorgeous win at Thomond Park earlier within the match with one other triumph towards Munster at 12:30pm.
Saints have gained 11 of their final 12 video games in all competitions, however might be cautious of the reigning URC winners, who’ve gained each sport since Fin Smith’s late drop objective took Northampton to victory in January.
The spherical of motion ends with Toulouse internet hosting Racing 92 at 3:00pm, with the Parisians dealing with a tall order to overturn their superstar-laden opponents.
After a brief droop within the league, and only one win in Europe, Racing may need felt they wanted a miracle firstly of March, however three consecutive league wins have helped them discover their ft.
The half-back pairing of Antoine Dupont and Ntamack will take some stopping although, with the pair set to be named collectively in a beginning XV for the primary time for the reason that latter was stretchered off in a World Cup warm-up match towards Scotland in August.
For unique tales and all of the detailed rugby information you want, subscribe to The Rugby Paper web site, digital version, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.
