Sunday’s European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures & TV details
Pau vs Northampton Saints
Premier Sports 2, 1pm
Gloucester vs Castres
Premier Sports 2, 3.15pm
Toulouse vs Sharks
Premier Sports 1, 3.15pm
Edinburgh vs Toulon
Premier Sports 2, 5.30pm
Best bets
Alex Mitchell to score a try
1pt 7-4 Hills
Gloucester -7
1pt 6-5 BoyleSports
Toulouse -50.5
1pt 6-4 bet365
Edinburgh +5
1pt Evs bet365
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European Rugby Champions Cup predictions
Pau vs Northampton
Last season’s beaten Champions Cup finalists Northampton welcome back scrum-half Alex Mitchell for their European opener at Pau.
The Saints were blown away 46-12 at Bristol in the Premiership last weekend but Mitchell’s return will add some much-needed class, and they will need it at the Stade de Hameau, where Pau have won their last eight matches.
Pau are dismissed as 9-4 outsiders and England international Mitchell is fancied to mark his 150th appearance for the Saints with a try.
Alex Mitchell to score a try
1pt 7-4 Hills
Gloucester vs Castres
Gloucester broke their Premiership duck with a 26-15 win over Harlequins last Saturday and the Cherry & Whites can carry the confidence gained from that success into European competition.
French visitors Castres have rotated with an eye on next Sunday’s home game against Edinburgh and they have lost on their three previous visits to Kingsholm.
Gloucester will have to match the Top 14 outfit up front but if they can their backline has pace to burn.
With half-backs Tomos Williams and Ross Byrne producing their best performance together against Quins, the pair could steer their team to victory by at least one converted score.
Gloucester -7
1pt 6-5 BoyleSports
Toulouse vs Sharks
Toulouse’s Antoine Dupont is set for his second appearance following eight months out with a knee injuryCredit: Getty Images
It is set to be all change at the Sharks following Friday’s news that head coach John Plumtree will step down after Sunday’s trip to Toulouse.
The Durban outfit have only won once this season and Plumtree has selected a youthful matchday 23 with an eye on next week’s home fixture against Saracens. JP Pietersen is expected to be in charge by then and will have more experience to choose from.
Never far away from success in Europe, record six-time champions Toulouse were beaten in last season’s semi-finals by eventual winners Bordeaux.
Injuries impacted them on that occasion, but they look much healthier now and have Antoine Dupont on the bench for the second straight week following eight months out with a knee injury.
Looking at the make up of each side, a focused and experienced Toulouse side are worth backing for a statement victory.
Toulouse -50.5
1pt 6-4 bet365
Edinburgh vs Toulon
Toulon will be without inspirational co-captain Charles Ollivon for their trip to Edinburgh due to a concussion.
The French visitors have lost their last four away matches, while Edinburgh have won all three of their home games in the URC this season and are a tempting proposition at 2-1 with Paddy Power.
That said, the hosts can be backed with a five-point start on the handicap at even-money and that looks the value play.
Edinburgh +5
1pt Evs bet365
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