European Champions Cup Preview: Pool 1

As we reach the halfway stage of the pool stages pool 1 is still very much a three-horse race with Clermont leading the way with 10 points with Saracens and Munster closely following them with 9 points. As for Sale having lost their opening three games their chances of making it through to the knockout stages seem to be over and they will now play for pride in the final three games.

Saracens welcome Sale to Allianz Park this Saturday having held on for dear life for a win at the AJ Bell Stadium last weekend. With the score 19-15 to Saracens as we entered into the final minute of play Sale were on the Sarries line and pushed for a winning try with Saracens doing enough to prevent the try and come away with a precious win. Mark McCall side will now look to pick up their third win of the pool while also picking up a four try bonus point. As for Sale with their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages as good as over they will be playing for pride and will hope to play their part in the final three pool games and have their say in who will make it through to the knockout stages.

Munster at Thomond Park in Europe is usually a forgone conclusion but last Saturday Clermont had other idea’s deservedly beating the former three-time champions 16-9 to become the first French side to come away from Limerick with a win. Munster now travel to the Stade Marcel Michelin where defeat  could put them on the brink of elimination. It will be no easy task with Clermont’s last defeat at home in Europe coming in 2008 when Sale recorded a 32-18 win. Clermont will be favourites to win the game but Munster have come good when they have needed results over the years with the ‘miracle match’ against Gloucester in 2003 coming to mind.