It’s round two in the Investec Champions Cup and the EPRC Challenge Cup, and already teams are having to up their game after a thrilling opening weekend of the competition.
It’s round two in the Investec Champions Cup and the EPRC Challenge Cup, and already teams are having to up their game after a thrilling opening weekend of the competition.
The leading names flexed their muscles and took an early grip on proceedings, but can those travelling maintain that form, or will it be a case of home comforts for many of those on the end of defeats in round one.
Here is what ATR is keeping an eye on this weekend…
Dupont, To Play Or Not To Play?
Yes, he’s a multiple Champions Cup winner, Grand Slam champion, and Olympic gold medallist, but can he do it on a cold night in Glasgow? Antoine Dupont that is. That question will be occupying the thoughts of Franco Smith and Ugo Mola, head coaches of Glasgow Warriors and Toulouse, who meet in Scotland’s largest city.
Anyone who has attended a match at Scotstoun Stadium on a Saturday night in December knows that it can get a bit Baltic. As such, does Mola continue Antoine Dupont’s rehabilitation from knee injury? So far, he has played twice from the bench; 30 minutes against Racing 92 in the Top 14, and 35 minutes in Toulouse’s opening win against the Sharks.
Mola has to factor in the cold, the travel, and the artificial pitch at Scotstoun. With all that in mind, it may be a case that he opts for the low road of leaving French rugby’s talisman at home, rather than the high road of giving him more minutes.
All Blue For Tigers?
The weekend’s action opens with the Leic-Lein derby (you heard it here first) as Leicester Tigers welcome Leinster to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday night. They are two teams that have plenty in common, and the match is a repeat of the 2009 final when the Irish province won their first title in Edinburgh.
Once imperious, they are now back among the contenders, with titles appreciated rather than expected. Leicester had their moments away to La Rochelle in round one, but they ultimately left empty handed. Leinster finished with the full house of five points, but Harlequins made life uncomfortable and opened up gaps in their defence.
The win was Jordan Larmour’s latest return from injury, and he marked the occasion with two tries. At 28, he is a long way from the young protégé who was expected to succeed Rob Kearney for province and country, but there is no reason why an injury free run shouldn’t push him back into Ireland contention.
Can The Sharks Bite Back?
It hasn’t been a good week down in Durban, what with the fall out from Eben Etzebeth’s ban, the confusion over John Plumtree’s future, and then a flogging away to Toulouse.
Sharks were the first South African team to really embrace the European competition, with victory in the 2024 Challenge Cup pointing the way. Last season, they lost three of four Champions Cup matches but reached the Round of 16, where they lost to Toulouse for the second time that season. It felt like a wasted opportunity.
On Saturday afternoon, Saracens head south to a city they know well. They opened with a good win against a weakened Clermont Auvergne and will scent the chance to make it two from two. Etzebeth’s ban, Saracens South African links and multiple England players will help the Sharks raise the emotion, but can they challenge that emotion into performance?
Doubling Up?
Newcastle Red Bulls were among the teams who enjoyed wins on the road, and they now have a chance set themselves up for rounds three and four, by winning at home, something they struggled to do this season.
The Lions travel to northeast England for a Saturday evening kick off (pack your thermals lads) after they were turned over by Benetton at Ellis Park. The Italians will host USAP Perpignan, another team struggling this season, with confidence high after strong performances from Leandro Marin and Tomas Albornoz.
Then there is Montpellier, who now host Zebre after returning from Georgia with a defeat of Black Lion in their locker. Stuart Hogg has been rolling back the years by the Mediterranean and he may well feature in an all-Scottish halfback pairing with Ali Price.