sport news European Champions Cup preview: Exeter host Bath in all-English affair, ... trends now
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European knock-out rugby returns this weekend as six English clubs compete in the last-16 of the Investec Champions Cup looking for a place in the quarter-finals.
With five of the ties repeats of matches which took place in the pool stages, there has been criticism of the lack of fixture variety.
Here, Mail Sport’s William Rogers takes a look at Saturday and Sunday’s upcoming action…
BULLS v LYON - Saturday, 12.30pm Loftus Versfeld Stadium
TV: TNT Sports 2
The Bulls are looking to avenge their 29-28 defeat to Lyon in this season’s group stage. A late Thibaut Regard try gave the French side victory that dat but they must now travel to South Africa. The Bulls suffered a heavy defeat against Leinster last weekend which ended their six-match winning run.
Lyon are languishing in 12th place in the French TOP14. The Bulls have an electric back-line with Springbok internationals Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse capable of causing carnage.
Prediction: Home win
EXETER v BATH - Saturday, 3pm Sandy ParkTV: TNT Sports 2
Both sides come into this game in poor form, with one win in their last four games each. Exeter have won 16 of the last 20 head-to-head matches between the sides but fell to a 41-24 defeat in December. Watch out for the battle at outside centre between England midfield colleagues Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence. These two sides know each other well but meet in Europe’s top club competition for the first time.
Prediction: Home win
Exeter host Bath on Saturday looking to avenge their 41-24 defeat in December
TV: TNT Sports 4
La Rochelle look to continue their march towards a European treble on the southern tip of Africa. South African giants Stormers claimed a 21-20 victory in the group stage and have won back-to-back games in the United Rugby Championship. La Rochelle have not been the force of the previous years this season and sit in fifth in the TOP14. Will we see their brilliant European run end in Cape Town? It looks likely.
Prediction: Home win
La Rochelle are bidding to win a third European title in a row but face a tough test in Cape Town
