European Champions Cup Preview: Pool 1

As we enter into the final two weekends of games in pool 1 it is very much a three-horse race with three sides still in contention for a place in the knockout stages. Clermont lead the way with 14 points and are closely followed by Saracens with 13 points with Munster behind them on 10. Sale complete the group as they go in search of their first win in the pool this weekend.

The first game on Saturday see’s Saracens do battle with two-time European champions Munster. After losing back to back games against Clermont, Munster will go to Allianz Park needing a win or face elimination from the competition.  As for Sarries they know that a defeat could end any chances they have of making it through the final eight with a visit to the Stade Marcel Michelin in round 6, where they would have to put in a heroic performance to leave with a win with Clermont not losing a European game at home since their defeat to Sale in 2008. Munster were victorious in the reverse fixture 14-3 and will hope to get a similar result on Saturday. Munster have won many miracle matches over the years and can they do the same against Saracens.

In the other game in the pool, Clermont Auvergne travel to the AJ Bell to take on Sale Sharks. Clermont will go into this game hoping to pick up a win that will put them in the driving seat in the pool before finishing with a home game against Saracens. Easier said than done though with Sale desperately unlucky not to have won their two previous home games in the competition. Against Munster they were seconds away from victory only for Keatley to steal the win with a drop-goal at the end. They were also unlucky not to defeat Saracens as they were camped on their line in the final minute of play but could not find a way past the Sarries defence. In the reverse fixture Clermont picked up a bonus-point win but the game at the AJ Bell will be a tight game as Sale look to pick up an unlikely win.