European Champions Cup predictions, team news, betting tips and odds: Bath can make a big splash in France
European Champions Cup betting tips & predictions
Best bets
Bath -8 vs Castres
Premier Sports 2, 8pm Friday
1pt 6-5 BoyleSports
Edinburgh -19 vs Gloucester
Premier Sports 1, 8pm Friday
1pt 10-11 bet365
European Champions Cup preview
European Rugby Champions Cup action returns this week and there’s a double-header from either side of the Channel to look forward to on Friday night.
Pool 2 table-toppers Bath have selected a strong side for their trip to the Stade Pierre Fabre to face Castres, and the Blue, Black & Whites will fancy their chances of going home with the spoils.
With half-backs Ben Spencer and Finn Russell marshalling the troops around the field, and with the electric Henry Arundell in the wide channels, Bath have the firepower to cause Castres real problems.
Having international talents Josh Bayliss and Joe Cokanasiga on the bench, Bath have the ability to keep the pressure on for the full 80 minutes and cover the handicap.
Friday night’s other game is a battle of Britain as Edinburgh host Gloucester at Hive Stadium.
While Edinburgh have won all of their last four games at the Hive Stadium, Gloucester have lost six of their last seven away games in all competitions.
The Cherry & Whites go into this game after a 25-19 defeat at Newcastle Red Bulls, and confidence is unlikely to be brimming ahead of this trip to the Scottish capital.
A number of first-team regulars have been left out of the Gloucester squad for this trip north of the border, and it’s hard to see the Cherry & Whites keeping it close against an Edinburgh side who boast British & Irish Lions stars in their starting side and on the bench.
Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Untitled Document
Recommended Offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
NEW CUSTOMER OFFER
-
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.
Published on 8 January 2026inRugby Union
Last updated 16:00, 8 January 2026
