Weekend Preview

Christmas for European rugby fans has come early, with the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup kicks off tonight in earnest. While some will bemoan the loss of what was essentially an unbroken format in the Heineken Cup, this new iteration of the competition will undoubtedly provide the same top level of rugby. Ahead of an exciting weekend we preview the best matches on offer.

Racing Metro vs Northampton

The game of the weekend for many takes place in Paris, as Northampton travel to the French capital to take on Racing Metro. Pool 5 looks on paper to be one of the easiest (or least difficult) in the competition, and both sides will know a win tonight will be a big early step towards the quarter finals. Racing have been dogged by uncertainty in the run up to this weekend, with some news outlets reporting the club was looking to offload their trio of Welshman on the eve of the championship. These rumours appear to have been just that, with Jamie Roberts starting on Saturday in the centre. The big team news however concerns the fly half position, as Johnny Sexton returns after 6 weeks sidelined with a jaw injury. Northampton will travel to the Stade Yves Manoir full of confidenceas current leaders of the Aviva Premiership. Hugely impressive as of late, the Saints will look to continue their free scoring ways in Paris, but this will surely be their toughest challenge of the season so far. We’re backing the English side to nick a win, but don’t be surprised if the dogged Parisians pull out all the stops in front of a partisan crowd.

Leicester vs Ulster

Pool three is arguably the toughest in this year’s competition, and Leicester will know that anything other than a home victory to start will be deemed a failure. This match may have come a week or two early for the Tigers, who have had a poor start to the season by their own lofty standards. Having Tuilagi and Ben Youngs back fit will be a big boost to a side who have looked devoid of a creative spark as of yet this year. In stark contrast Ulster come into this one in fine fettle, looking impressively clinical in dispatching Pro12 leaders Glasgow at Ravenhill last week. Many of the current squad were involved last season when Ulster triumphed over Leicester at Welford road, and will fear little this time round in front of what will be a lively crowd in the midlands. The match winner that day, Ruan Pienaar, remains side lined for the Irish province, so the so-far exceptional Paul Marshall continues in his place. Leicester will come out all guns blazing, but Ulster are more than capable of securing another crucial away win at the home of the Tigers.

Leinster vs Wasps

On Sunday we have a throwback to European club rugby of old, as Leinster welcome Wasps to Dublin. The last time these sides met in European club rugby’s top contest was in 2008, when Leinster comfortably beat the former kings of Europe. Both sides are much changed since then, and this weekends game will be closer than many think. Leinster have been unconvincing so far this year, with losses to Connacht and Munster already under their belt, and they will know that only their best will be enough to beat the improving English side. Wasps have pushed the likes of Saracens and Bath all the way in the Aviva Premiership, and possess arguably the most electrifying winger in the competition in Christian Wade. Leinster are improving, and welcome back Noel Reid to the starting line up, as well as the mercurial Luke Fitzgerald to the bench. They should be too strong for the visitors, but expect a dog fight in the RDS on Sunday to close out the weekend.