Rugby Union
Bordeaux can book ticket to Champions Cup final in Bilbao
William Hill News previews the semi-finals of the European Champions Cup which sees Toulon take on Leinster in Dublin, while Bath travel to Bordeaux.
Predictions: Leinster To Win (1/4), Bordeaux To Win (2/11)
Semi-Final 1: Leinster vs Toulon – Saturday 3pm
Leinster enter their sixth consecutive semi-final with a home advantage and an unbeaten record in this season’s competition. They make it to this stage courtesy of a dominant display against Sale Sharks, dismissing the Manchester side 43-13 with captain Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan among their standout performers, and have been throughout the campaign.
The road to Bilbao won’t be that straightforward though. Leinster are chasing redemption after falling short in four finals since their triumph in the 2017-18 competition, and none of the remaining teams can be written off. Toulon may be sitting 8th in the Top 14 standings but have progressed through this competition with all guns blazing, upsetting the odds by defeating Glasgow Warriors 22-19 in their quarter-final trip to Scotstoun. Judging by their domestic results, France legend and head coach Mathieu Bastareaud is clearly prioritising this competition and can’t be ruled out.
Toulon winger Gael Drean has been electric this season, with 7 tries making him one of the competitions top scorers. Additionally, returns to fitness for several of Toulon’s key forwards including Charles Ollivon, David Ribbans, and Lewis Ludlam could provide an extra layer of attrition against Leinster’s physical pack.
That said, Leinster have a track record of winning these semi-finals and they are deserved favourites at home at the Aviva. Their squad depth and experience should prove the difference.
Semi-Final 2: Bordeaux vs Bath – Sunday 3pm
Bordeaux have earned the home advantage, cruising through the group stages and finishing as the top-seeded club. They made light work of Leicester Tigers in the RO16, thrashing them 64-14, before earning a hard-fought victory over rivals Toulouse in the quarterfinals. Led by Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Bordeaux have been in sensational form and are favourites to go all the way in the competition.
Meanwhile, Bath return to the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years, having edged through a 43-41 thriller against Northampton Saints in the previous round. They are a team packed with international quality, including two of the competitions Player of the Year nominees in Finn Rusell, top points scorer with 72, and dynamic forward Alfie Barbeary.
Bordeaux have been flawless in this competition this season and it is a tough task for any team to go there and topple them. Their price reflects their status as the dominant force in European rugby right now and there is little to suggest their unbeaten run in Europe will be cut short here, and we expect them to progress to the final in Bilbao.
European Champions Cup – Outright
- Bordeaux – 8/13
- Leinster – 12/5
- Bath- 6/1
- Toulon – 18/1
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*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*
