Here we go with the lottery cup, as we don’t know how seriously each team will be taking this predictions can be a bit of lottery but still fun. Here are my round 1 picks.
First here is a link to my tournament preview.
Harlequins v Montpellier
Both these teams have started the season well even if Montpellier took a hammering away to Toulon last weekend. They rested a bunch of players and so could be lining up to have a hot at this competition. I still think that Quins at home should be good enough to take the win with the form that they have sown this season. My only thought is how many games can Evans start without a rest and when is he going to rotated out?
Harlequins by 10
Brive v Newcastle Falcons
Brive got a good win last weekend and have started this season really well. Falcons are totally the opposite and sitting at the bottom of the Premiership. Travelling to France with no form is never and easy task and against a confident side I can’t see them having a chance,
Brive by 7
Edinburgh v Grenoble
Edinburgh have had a mixed start to the season but the Pro12 sides are the best placed to cope on two fronts. Grenoble are doing ok but I can’t see that they want to be in this competition at all and I’m expecting a weakened squad to get on the airplane. Thinking about it again I probably should have gone for a bigger margin.
Edinburgh by 5
Enisei-STM v Connacht Rugby
I know next to nothing about Enisei however I think the trip is more trouble than the team will be for Connacht. Connacht are going well and will be looking to keep on a winning roll.
Connacht Rugby by 15
Calvisano v Cardiff Blues
On the surface this is another one that’s easy to pick. A side from the top tier traveling to a division 2 side. However the division 2 Italian sides always perform better at home and Blues have got no confidence at all. Even so they should have too much class to lose.
Cardiff Blues by 5
Worcester Warriors v La Rochelle
Warriors have had a wonderful start to the season. They will be taking this opportunity to rest players but there getting the change are in a happy squad and will be fighting to get a starting spot. La Rochelle are going ok in the Top 14 but will be resting players and sending over a weakened squad so a home win.
Worcester Warriors by 3
London Irish v Agen
This is a battle of the basement dwellers, Irish are second from bottom of the Premiership and Agen are bottom of the Top14. At least Agen have registered two wins this season. Even so it’s another case of resting players and a second string side flying over. So I’m backing Irish to pickup their first win of the season.
London Irish by 5
Gloucester Rugby v Zebre
Zebre are the better of the two Italian sides so far this season and have picked up a couple of wins which from memory were at home. This isn’t at home and they are at the defending champions. Gloucester won’t be concentrating too much on this competition but as defending champions will be fired up to do well.
Gloucester Rugby by 15
Section Paloise v Castres
A lower end of the table all French clash. Put simply go with the home team.
Section Paloise by 5
Newport Gwent Dragons v Sale Sharks
Sale have had a mixed start to the seasons but are recovering well from that thrashing by Saracens on the opening weekend. Dragons have been struggling as usual. Sale for me are one of the favourites for this tournament and I expect them to kick off with a win.
Sale Sharks by 7
Do you think I have it right? Let me know your predictions in the comments below.
