When this year’s European Champions Cup competition started the common consensus was that our Aviva Premiership sides weren’t going to fly and instead would find it challenging to deal with the might of the Euro.
Now, 148 days since the competition started that viewpoint couldn’t have been further from the truth as 5 of the 8 quarter-finalists are English clubs and there is guaranteed to be a Premiership finalist.
We couldn't have expected much more from the Pool stage, from historic away victories and length of the field tries, to final day flourishes we had it all and now things are about to go up a level as it becomes winner takes all.
Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Starting the European weekend with this all Aviva Premiership match is certainly going to kick-off the Champions Cup quarter-finals in the right manner. Wasps and Exeter are two sides that like to play rugby, they combine their fluid and potent back lines with physical and combative forwards and both will believe that a semi-final place is theirs for the taking. Wasps go into the game off the back of a less than perfect performance, Dai Young described their outing against Saints to me as ‘loose’ but that dip in form will have focused their minds this week. Exeter’s eight-try victory over Worcester showed just how deadly they can be, Jack Nowell was sensational and across the board they continue to go from strength to strength with every minute played. Of course when the two last met at the Ricoh Arena Exeter prevailed by 41-27 and taught Wasps a lesson at the driving maul but none of us expect such an emphatic scoreline this weekend. The Chiefs’ pack still pose a threat from close range but if Wasps have done their homework right they should have the answers. Dai Young has said that his side won’t be afraid to play rugby against the Chiefs while Rob Baxter has openly said the best way to nullify Wasps’ attack isn’t to defend, it's to attack it yourself. In short I think we are going to have a mesmeric quarter-final on our hands to start the weekend!
Ones To Watch
Exeter Chiefs - It’s time to watch Henry Slade and Jack Nowell make first-class rugby look effortless and Lachie Turner will want to make his maiden mark on the Champions Cup competition in Chiefs' colours a good one. The output of Exeter's back row will be vital, Julian Salvi goes head-to-head with the best in the business George Smith. Dom Armand is a powerful and physical six and of course the Tank Engine will do his thing brilliantly in the eight jersey.
Wasps - The home sides’ back three of Piutau, Wade and Halai is a leathal combination and then you add Elliot Daly and Silae Piutau in that mix it gets stronger. Watch out for Joe Simpson coming off the bench, he’s been out for a while but don’t expect him to be rusty for Joe is a class act that will add impact if he comes on. Finally how could I not mention Wasps’ titanic trio of James Haskell, George Smith and Nathan Hughes, nothing further needs to be said about them, they'll excel on the big stage.
Saracens v Northampton Saints
At Allianz Park Saracens will be playing in the European quarter-finals for the fifth season in a row and enter this stage as the top seeds with six victories from six. Interestingly no side has ever gone on to win the competition that delivered 6/6 in the pools but I wouldn't put it passed Saracens as they're flying at the moment. Alex Goode, Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola and George Kruis in particular are all in the form of their lives and as a collective Saracens are focused and in control of everything that they do at the moment. Northampton's lengthy injury list will cause Jim Mallinder a lot of pain as he is without Lee Dickson, Sam Dickinson, Tom Wood, Dylan Hartley, Jamie Gibson, Calum Clark, George North, Tom Stephenon and Tom Collins. Of course it presents an opportunity for others to step up but facing Saracens under par, when they are in such a formidable mood, I fear is going to be too much to ask.
Ones To Watch
Saracens - In a side that are playing some of the best rugby in Europe Owen Farrell is excelling in the 10 jersey. His accuracy off the tee is soaring and with every game that he plays he is showing us more of his box of attacking tricks. Alex Goode's skill-set is one of the best in the Premiership from his high ball efficiency to his distribution and breaks. He does the lot and will want to remind Eddie Jones again of what he missed out on having on a match day during the 6 Nations.
Northampton Saints - In what is going to be a huge test of character it will be up to Saints' experienced men, Ben Foden, Luther Burrell, Stephen Myler and Courtney Lawes, to lead the charge with their work rate, output and leadership. At scrum time Alex Waller, Mikey Haywood and Paul Hill all have a huge opportunity to show their worth against Saracens' experienced front three and with another strong performance Teimana Harrison's star can conitnue to rise in the back row.
Leicester Tigers v Stade Francais Paris
At Welford Road the Leicester Tigers will be meeting Stade Francais Paris for the third time in this year's Champions Cup competition and Leicester have won 3 of the last 4. Stade's domestic form hasn’t been strong, they’re currently third from bottom in the Top 14 and have won just one of their last four matches. All of that said they can deliver when it matters and the French side scored the most tries (12) from inside their own half in his season’s tournament. Last weekend Leicester dug themselves out of a hole against Gloucester and in doing so played some superb rugby. Without question Richard Cockerill will have upped the ante in training this week for European glory has been missing for too long at his club. That drive for European success will focus the minds and if they exceute strongly on home soil they should progress through fairly comfortably to the semi-finals.
Ones To Watch
Leicester Tigers - In recent matches we've seen Manu Tuilagi go from strength to strength, the centre is fast approaching full match fitness and it is sublime to see. In the loose I'm looking forward to seeing the work of Harry Thacker who is developing at a rate of knots and out wide just cast your eyes over the way that Telusa Veianu and Peter Betham play rugby for it's a joy to watch.
Stade Francais Paris - As is the case with any side that he is in you cannot look past the output of Sergio Parisse; he's a talisman and the man that you need leading the charge. In the half-backs Morne Steyn and Julien Dupuy need to take control of Stade's kicking game in order to provide them with the territory required and equally must have slick distribution and handling to ignite those around them.
Racing 92 v RC Toulon
To finish the weekend it is the clash of the French titans as Racing 92 host RC Toulon at the Stade Yves-Du-Manoir. When it became clear that this was to be one of the quarter-finals I did a little cheer because watching the two battle it out is going to be sensational. Where do you start when you have the names Dan Carter, Matt Giteau, Brice Dulin, Ma'a Nonu and Juan Imhoff in the respective back lines? Or Chris Masoe, Juan Smith and Duane Vermeulen gracing the back rows? This match will be fascinating to watch and a crucial element will be which side can hold their nerve and deliver on the day. In my head there's little to choose between the two and in their recent meeting two weeks ago just a single point separated them. The influence of Dan Carter and Matt Giteau on the outcome of the game cannot be underestimated, both are world-class players and both know that they could prove to be the difference between two evenly matched sides. This match has the potential to show it all, it's knockout rugby with silverware on the line and that means that world-class players have to come to the floor and deliver.
Full Match & TV Schedule
Saturday - Wasps v Exeter Chiefs - BT Sport Europe - 2.30pm [KO 3.15pm]
Saturday - Saracens v Northampton Saints - Sky Sports 2 - 5.30pm [KO 5.45pm]
Sun - Leicester Tigers v Stade Francais Paris - BT Sport Europe - 1pm [KO 1.45pm]
Sun - Racing 92 v RC Toulon - Sky Sports 2 - 4pm [KO 4.15pm]