The two South African groups face an enormous weekend with a spot within the knockout phases on the road.
Who will qualify for the celebrated Round of 16 within the Champions’ Cup?
Already eight groups have certified and eight are to affix them as this weekend’s closing spherical of matches will decide which 16 sides undergo to the playoffs.
With 4 swimming pools of six groups, 4 qualify from every pool whereas the fifth aspect drops to the Challenge Cup, and the aspect ending sixth is ousted.
So with one spherical to go there’s nonetheless all the things to play for. Here, we check out who has certified from every group and the prospects for every workforce nonetheless hoping to qualify:
Pool 1 — Qualified: Bordeaux-Begles and Lyon (Both France)
What concerning the Bulls?
The Bulls have 10 factors from two wins — at dwelling towards Saracens and away to Bristol Bears and want only one extra level to qualify once they tackle Bordeaux-Begles this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.
The massive query is: Which Bordeaux workforce will pitch up? French groups have been recognized to ship second string groups for away video games or will they need the factors for a high end on the finish of the pool phases? The Bulls haven’t been crushed at dwelling by European opposition but.
Bristol and Saracens have robust video games towards Connacht (away) and Lyon (dwelling) and one will qualify, however it’s robust to see each English groups qualifying.
Pool 2 — Qualified: Toulouse, Bath and Harlequins
Who else can qualify?
Ulster have been smashed at dwelling by Toulouse and have 5 factors, whereas Racing 92 have three and Cardiff two factors on the log. Therefore all three can nonetheless qualify however with Ulster going through Harlequins away this weekend and Racing and Cardiff going through one another, will probably be a captivating race to look at.
Pool 3 — Qualified: Northampton, Exeter
Who else can qualify?
All 4 remaining groups have an opportunity to qualify, however Munster and Glasgow look the almost definitely to tug by with eight and 5 factors respectively. Bayonne have three and Toulon two, and whereas they’re outsiders at greatest, mathematically it’s nonetheless potential.
An intriguing battle awaits with Glasgow internet hosting Toulon on Friday, Munster internet hosting Northampton on Saturday and Bayonne internet hosting Exeter on Sunday.
Pool 4 — Qualified: Leinster
What are the Stormers’ possibilities of qualification?
This is actually the pool of loss of life and not at all close to understanding which 4 sides will undergo. While Leinster have booked their spot, the Stormers and Leicester Tigers are second on 9 factors.
La Rochelle have been unbelievable of their win over Leicester this previous weekend and are on seven with Sale Sharks on 5. Only Stade Francais are out of rivalry with one level.
Given the Parisians are out, that could be excellent news for the Stormers, who haven’t gained away from dwelling for a while now in any competitors.
Leicester host Leinster in an intriguing battle at Welford Road on Saturday adopted by the Stormers quest towards Stade Francais in Paris. On Sunday Sale Sharks have a mammoth job towards La Rochelle, with the winner there set to qualify and the loser set to drop right down to Challenge Cup.
Fixtures
Friday
Glasgow Warriors v Toulon (Pool 3, 10pm); Connacht v Bristol Bears (Pool 1, 10pm)
Saturday
Harlequins v Ulster (Pool 2, 3pm), Bulls vs Bordeaux-Begles (Pool 1, 3pm); Leicester Tigers v Leinster (Pool 4, 5.15pm); Racing 92 v Cardiff (Pool 2, 5.15pm); Munster v Northampton Saints (Pool 3, 7.30pm); Stade Francais v Stormers (Pool 4, 7.30pm); Saracens v Lyon (Pool 1, 10pm)
Sunday
Sale Sharks vs La Rochelle (Pool 3, 3pm); Toulouse vs Bath (Pool 2, 5.15pm); Bayonne vs Exeter Chiefs (Pool 3, 7.30pm)
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