European Challenge Cup Preview - Pool 2

Pool 2 is still very much all to play for with only two points separating top of the table Exeter and bottom side Bayonne. After two rounds of games Exeter are top with 6 points followed by Connacht with 5 points and French sides La Rochelle and Bayonne level with 4 points. All of the sides in the Pool have won one and lost one with only bonus points separating them with Exeter chiefs picking up two bonus points to lead the group.

The first of the two games in Pool 2 starts on Thursday with the Exeter Chiefs travelling to France to take on La Rochelle. After an impressive win over Saracens on Saturday the Chiefs moved up to third in the table. However Exeter have only won 2 of their last 7 away games in the Challenge Cup which included a defeat away to Bayonne in round 1. After earning promotion to the Top 14 this season La Rochelle are struggling in the league and were only able to draw with Bayonne at the weekend, the same side they beat in round 2 of the Challenge Cup.

The other game in the group see’s Bayonne travel to the Sportsground to take on high flying Connacht. After picking up another win against Scarlets in the Pro12 this season Connacht have further cemented their place in the top six. After an opening round win against La Rochelle they were quickly brought down to earth  suffering a hammering away to The Chiefs and will look to bounce back from that defeat with a win against Bayonne.  The French side sit near the bottom in the French league and with a poor away record they will find it tough against Connacht. The Irish side can also boast a record of winning 8 of their last 9 games against French Opposition.