European Rugby Champions Cup

Round 1 Preview
Date:  6^th / 7^th / 8^th December 2024

Picks of the Round

Saturday, December 7

• Sharks vs. Exeter Chiefs (1:00 PM)
  It’s a trip to South Africa for Exeter in round 1 as they face the Sharks in Durban. Currently sitting on zero wins from their opening seven matches in the Premiership, this will prove a tough test for the English side, with the Sharks welcoming back a host of their Springbok Stars following their Autumn Nations tour – yikes. 
• Our pick – 1^st Half Handicap, Sharks -7.5 @ 3/4

• Glasgow Warriors vs. Sale Sharks (8:00 PM)
  This one has the makings of a proper arm wrestle. The Warriors, led by centre powerhouse Sione Tuipulotu, have been playing with bags of confidence, especially at home, where the Scotstoun crowd always seems to give them that extra edge. Sale, however, are certainly no pushovers. The English outfit take pride in their physicality and will rely on their bruising pack to dominate at the breakdown and suffocate Glasgow’s attack. 

• Our pick – Total Match Points – Under 46.5 @ 10/11

• Racing 92 vs. Harlequins (8:00 PM)

It’s flair vs. flair as Racing 92 welcome Harlequins to Paris. Racing’s star-studded lineup has a notable omission in Owen Farrell, but still boasts the likes of Josua Tuisova and Gael Fickou in a fearful backline packed with talent. Harlequins, however, won’t shy away from the challenge and usually thrive in fast, chaotic games. They’ll look to upset Racing’s rhythm and unleash their backline, with players like Lennox Anyanwu and Cadan Murley ready to pounce.

Our pick – Total Match Points – Over 46.5 @ 10/11

Sunday, December 8

• Toulouse vs. Ulster (3:15 PM)
  The defending champions host Ulster, with the French side eyeing a record seventh title. Toulouse boast a star-studded lineup with arguably the best 9-10 combo in world rugby in Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, whilst Ulster will lean on their gritty pack to slow the pace of the game and make life difficult for the home side. Unfortunately for the visitors, we only see this one going one way…

Our pick – Match Handicap, Toulouse -25.5 @ 5/6

Bristol Bears vs. Leinster (5:30 PM)
It’s a clash of styles at Ashton Gate as the electric Bristol Bears take on Irish giants, Leinster, in the pick of the round 1 ties. The Bears will be buzzing off the back of a solid start to their Premiership campaign, with their high-octane attack led by AJ MacGinty and Gabriel Ibitoye. But Leinster are a different beast – disciplined, ruthless, and stacked with international quality, not to mention a certain Jordie Barrett on the bench. Their 7 from 7 in the URC and will fancy themselves to take an early scalp in a tough round 1 fixture.

Our pick – Match Handicap, Bristol +10.5 @ 4/5

Our Round 1 Acca

SHA v EXE – Match Handicap, Sharks -18.5 @ 10/11

GLA v SAL – Total Match Points – Under 46.5 @ 10/11

R92 v HAR – Total Match Points – Over 46.5 @ 19/20

TOU v ULS – Match Handicap, Toulouse -25.5 @ 5/6

BRI v LEI – Match Handicap, Bristol +10.5 @ 4/5