Happy Champions Cup Round 1!
Once again a new European season is upon us and personally I’m think that we’re in for a belter. The Welsh and Italians will be looking to ruffle a few feathers, the Irish provinces all have fire in their bellies to right their wrongs of last season, our English clubs are all looking to ‘do a Saracens’, the reigning champs have their eyes on the double and who knows what to expect from the TOP 14 clubs!? In short we’ve a fascinating European season ahead of us.
As always I’m going to be focusing on our Aviva Premiership side’s journeys and the question that everyone is asking me right now is which club (of all 20 not just the Premiership) will lift the trophy? Right now, before a single match has been played, I can’t look past Saracens. Mark McCall’s side remain the most composed and impressive team in Europe and that’s not set to change anytime soon. European rugby always takes things up a notch and this weekend we’re going to see some test match intensity contests and all of the respective country's international coaches are going to learn a lot.
Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers
Tonight it all kicks off at Scotscun where the Glasgow Warriors are hoping to continue the strong home European record that they held last season. For Leicester this competition was a platform to really find their form and I have a sneaking suspicion that might happen again. Matt Toomua will be the man in the spotlight as the is handed his maiden Tigers’ start, he was described by Richard Cockerill as their ‘most important signing’ and I’m really interested to see what he can do in their backline. One injury apiece blights both sides, for the hosts Tommy Seymour’s absence is a blow and for the visitors they’ll miss the physical presence of Mike Williams. There’s plenty to look out for across the park, how will two young props go against each other as Zander Fagerson and Ellis Genge meet at scrum time? What about two full backs? Stuart Hogg and Telusa Veainu both have outstanding feet and an eye for a break. And, finally how will Leicester’s defence, and nerve, hold away from home? We’ll find out. Match Fact: Leicester scored more tries on average per game than any other side in last season’s competition while Glasgow boasted the best scrum success rate (97%).
Wasps v Zebre
It’s fair to say that Wasps didn’t really enjoy their trip to Allianz Park at weekend and it did expose some weaknesses that perhaps some thought weren’t there. However it’s better to learn lessons of that nature sooner rather than later in the season and in all honesty their loss last weekend won’t impact on Saturday’s outing in the slightest. With respect Wasps are streets ahead of their opponents and should win at a jog. I fully expect them to make light work of this game and move on quickly to the larger task of taking on Toulouse away from home. Wasps have lost just two of their last 24 home games in the top flight competition and in last season’s Champions Cup showcased some of their best rugby in the early rounds. The lessons of their last outing regarding physicality and winning the game line will be required but more so next weekend, so Saturday is all about about getting their European foundations in place on home soil. Match Fact: On average Wasps gained 491 metres per game last season, more than any other side, and they also beat a competition-high of 24 defenders per game.
RC Toulon v Saracens
First and foremost let’s just say a little ‘thank you’ to EPCR for putting this cracker of a fixture bang slap in the middle of Round 1. Toulon’s start to the season may have been a little bit rocky and Saracens’ pretty smooth but that doesn’t really mean too much because the former champions will treat this like a derby fixture and have the personnel to turn something very special on. That said Saracens are the reigning champions for a reason and they remain the most settled, secure and ruthless side in the European competition. The big selection question is whether or not Owen Farrell will start or be on the bench - it’s a big call to make but Mark McCall is experienced enough to know the right one to make given what he sees in training this week. Toulon need to play their own game and not be sucked in by Saracens, so many teams are just look at Wasps last weekend. If Toulon get caught early the it could be over, even with the supporter of their passionate fans. The Stade Felix Mayol is a great stage to see all of these Internationals on and I can guarantee that this will be a test match in everything but the name. Match Fact: Saracens and Toulon have met twice before in the Champions Cup with Toulon emerging victorious in both knockout fixtures (2012-13 semi-final and 2013-14 final)
Northampton Saints v Montpellier
Northampton Saints have a real point to prove in this massive European opener. Jim Mallinder said that last weekend they took a clear step back and that can’t be the case again on the European stage. Personally I’m not fully versed in the inner workings of the club at Montpellier but with Jake White set to be replaced by Vern Cotter at the end of the season it may not be a totally peaceful place? Who knows. In the Challenge Cup Stade Francais failed to fully turn up on the road and I hope that this isn’t the case on Saturday or Montpellier. Physicality and really sharpening up their handling and fluidity in attack are the key elements for Northampton in order to start Pool 4 strongly. Jim Mallinder's men can't afford to be caught sleeping because in this competition we all know that if you don’t hit the ground running you’ll be out of the running in a blink of an eye. Match Fact: Saints are winless in their last five games against TOP 14 opposition but Montpellier have lost their last five away games in the tournament.
Scarlets v Sale Sharks
Steve Diamond’s Sale Sharks start their European adventure on the road at Scarlets and given that the other members of their group are Toulon and Saracens it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that this match is important for them. At Bath the Sharks didn’t meet the standards that they set themselves; their handling was poor and they weren’t careful enough with their possession. That needs to change on the road and they need sparks to fly across the park with likes of Mike Haley and Will Addison really showcasing their worth. I’m pretty sure that Mike Phillips will enjoy playing against his former side, and visa versa, but the focus for this match will be on the collectives and not the individuals. Match Fact: Sale have lost four of their last six games against Welsh opposition but Scarlets have lost their last eight Champions Cup games.
Exeter Chiefs v ASM Clermont Auvergne
The weekend’s European action finishes at Sandy Park where Exeter Chiefs will be facing the current TOP 14 leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne. Last season this fixture was huge for the Chiefs and they have to build on those memories ahead of Sunday night and park their slightly up and down start to the new Premiership season. The mindset for the Chiefs is that this a new competition and a fresh chance to shine. Clermont’s threats are well known and strong one; Noa Nakaitaci has been scoring some ridiculous tries and the English contingent of Nick Abendanon and David Strettle are both on the field and firing. Even though the opening of the Premiership hasn’t quite given them the positive springboard that they would have liked the Chiefs have to act like their the cream of the crop and go out there with a spot of swagger. On Sunday evening their experienced men, the likes of Thomas Waldrom, Gareth Steenson, Geoff Parling, must raise their games and lead the way of others to follow against a French side that's on form. Match Fact: Clermont had the joint best goal kicking success rate in last season’s competition, landing 84% (27/32) of their shots at goal. Exeter are on their best run in the competition to date having won their last there Champions Cup home games.
It’s fair to say that Wasps didn’t really enjoy their trip to Allianz Park at weekend and it did expose some weaknesses that perhaps some thought weren’t there. However it’s better to learn lessons of that nature sooner rather than later in the season and in all honesty their loss last weekend won’t impact on Saturday’s outing in the slightest. With respect Wasps are streets ahead of their opponents and should win at a jog. I fully expect them to make light work of this game and move on quickly to the larger task of taking on Toulouse away from home. Wasps have lost just two of their last 24 home games in the top flight competition and in last season’s Champions Cup showcased some of their best rugby in the early rounds. The lessons of their last outing regarding physicality and winning the game line will be required but more so next weekend, so Saturday is all about about getting their European foundations in place on home soil. Match Fact: On average Wasps gained 491 metres per game last season, more than any other side, and they also beat a competition-high of 24 defenders per game. 
Northampton Saints have a real point to prove in this massive European opener. Jim Mallinder said that last weekend they took a clear step back and that can’t be the case again on the European stage. Personally I’m not fully versed in the inner workings of the club at Montpellier but with Jake White set to be replaced by Vern Cotter at the end of the season it may not be a totally peaceful place? Who knows. In the Challenge Cup Stade Francais failed to fully turn up on the road and I hope that this isn’t the case on Saturday or Montpellier. Physicality and really sharpening up their handling and fluidity in attack are the key elements for Northampton in order to start Pool 4 strongly. Jim Mallinder's men can't afford to be caught sleeping because in this competition we all know that if you don’t hit the ground running you’ll be out of the running in a blink of an eye. Match Fact: Saints are winless in their last five games against TOP 14 opposition but Montpellier have lost their last five away games in the tournament. 
