Toulouse? Leinster? The Bulls? Champions Cup Favourites 2024/25

[@brianodriscoll2725]

The European cup is shocking before the knockouts now . The pool stage was brilliant now we’ve a gigantic table and random fixtures. It was amazing when you’d draw someone like bath or Toulouse and have them home and away and see how you faired !

[@GBNE-kh1fs]

You get some cracking fixtures in the group stage to be fair - even if the format is a bit wonky. Bristol are playing some brilliant rugby in the prem this year, not sure how that translates to Europe though.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man on their own there are some big games. Then I look at the table and my brain melts a bit 😅

[@GBNE-kh1fs]

@@TwoCentsRugby They've copped a lot of flak for it, and it's definitely having a negative impact on the interest levels.. At least it's been the same two seasons running this time --

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

La Rochelle does not perform in the Top 14 this season, they just lost at home against the newly promoted (and ranking last at the moment) Vannes. Aging and/or tired players.

[@kropotkine9640]

Having tired and aging players seems to be enough to beat the current top team of the premiership

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

@@kropotkine9640 English weather, Irish coach, what could go wrong for Les Maritimes?

[@mahasamatman12]

@@kropotkine9640 Well, yes, but unfortunately there are also contenders from the URC and the Top 14

[@MattRose-f2n]

Agreed, what made the "H-Cup" was the group of 4 with home/away fixtures - the best part of the Champions Cup in recent years was the Round of 16, which was a one off home/away fixture... thats pretty clear 'writing on the wall' if you ask me -> they need to bring back pools of 4 or even 3, just to have those home/away fixtures !

[@designmanagementconsultanc4143]

Gosh the lads had no time off after the test series. True what you say as a Saffer we don't know much about this tournament at all

[@k0bra3eak40]

My money is on Glasgow and the Sharks possibly going quite far. Sharks when they have their Boks are blockbuster

[@Zveebo]

@@k0bra3eak40 Glasgow have traditionally not done great in the CC. But maybe this will be their year - the quality is there. Whether the Sharks can succès depends a lot on what teams they field. I hope at the very least they wheel out the big guns for the game against Toulouse in January!

[@iaincowieson869]

You should never bet against the bookies, and the top two are undeniable but... La Rochelle + Bordeaux are right in the mix for the Top 14 so far this season and I suspect they may be more focussed on that. La Rochelle probably have the squad depth to go for both but I'm not sure about Bordeaux. Below that everything is out of order for my money. I would say Sharks (the Durban ones) are going to proper go for this comp. They loved winning the Challenge Cup last year and I don't see a reason why they can't finish top of their group. We will have a much better idea about their intentions after Toulouse come to town this weekend. Bulls will be there or there abouts but I expect Sharks to go deepest of the SA sides. From the Prem it has to be Bath and possibly Northampton. Bath because they have serious squad depth despite the salary cap and Finn Russell. And Saints may decide to go for it in Europe this year having won the Prem title last year. And finally - and I know I'm biased but - watch out for Glasgow! Within minutes of them becoming URC champions last season Franco Smith was talking about making a "significant statement in Europe" as the next step. They have already proved that they have the squad depth to have their 2nd/3rd string cope with several URC games (see last Fridays defeat of a really good Scarlets team as an example) and so can save the big guns for the Champions Cup. And I reckon Zander and the boys can do a job on almost anyone in this competition. Almost! Which brings us back to the top two and not betting against the bookies!

[@tommybyrne6735]

I live for this competition and it warms my heart to see a South African and an All Black on the bench😁 Cmon Leinster 💪🇮🇪🇳🇿🫵🏻

[@johannrugby3811]

I'm a South African and I like the Champions Cup way more than the URC, purely because it's much harder to win it and you play against much better teams in the Champions Cup that you don't usually play against: French Top 14 teams like Toulouse, La Rochelle and Bordeaux Begle and Premiership teams like Saracens, Bath, Northampton and Exeter (although Exeter are struggling this season in the Prem, but it's still incredibly hard to beat them at Sandy Park, I think they were recently on a 23 match winning streak there)

[@mahasamatman12]

Well said, I wish more Saffa fans would be as open-minded and buy into this competition

[@johannrugby3811]

@@mahasamatman12 The fact that we are not winning it yet, just makes me more obsessed with this competition and obsessed with us to win it at least one day. But it's incredibly hard to win.

[@ColmOkeeffe-f8u]

It's disappointing that as well as south Africans teams,that there's no new Zealand or Australian teams,

[@jeanhauter7812]

you're absolutely right!

[@Graham159871]

From an SA perspective I do not enjoy the Champions cup as much as the URC and its pretty much due to the structure. Dont know why it cant be played at the end of the URC/prem/top 14. Would be cool to see the club comps end, then play Champions cup and then Internationals start, just makes more sense

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah it actually caught me a bit by surprise staring this weekend - so soon after tests and that one most recent URC round

[@polo-cx3ze]

It's because the way as the season is structured is the same as all the team sport in Europe : domestic league all along the season and european competition in between. I don't know how it's done in Africa or in NZ/AUS but in Europe, doing different would be weard.

[@k0bra3eak40]

@@polo-cx3ze Southern Hemisphere stuff is done in closed off windows, It used to be Super Rugby, Mid-Year Tests, TRC, End-Year Tests, in SA Currie Cup would be shortly after Super Rugby as well. So basically no overlap between competitions For the most part minus SA the Southern schedule has stayed the same, with NPC not overlapping with Super Rugby

[@kingpower4631]

​​@@polo-cx3zewtf is africa😂 south africa imagine if i said european to a the frenchies

[@polo-cx3ze]

@kingpower4631 That's what I meant because we are speaking about continental competition...

[@jpb7887]

Like the Stade Francais cap and shirt :)

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man I do love busting out the French club gear for this comp!

[@kooibono]

The gear that you possess, man, fair play...!

[@jimbolambo103]

The Sharks are potentially great value at those odds. They have a serious team at full strength.

[@Zveebo]

Suspect there may be a bit of an increase in Saffa interest in the Champions Cup when Dupont leads Toulouse down in Durban against the Sharks!

[@bradnaude2334]

@@Zveebo If the sharks field their best side it will be a hell of a game

[@Zveebo]

@ Absolutely, and I really hope they do. Toulouse almost always send their top team for Champions Cup games, so it could be an amazing clash.

[@kobuslouw9533]

I'd prefer to see him here in test level. When it's the best each nation has to offer. When it really matters. THAT WOULD BE EPIC!

[@Zveebo]

@ Oh, for Toulouse players, at least, the Champions Cup *really* matters. The final against Leinster is top of many people’s lists of best matches of 2024 (at any level) precisely because it was 100 minutes of every player giving absolutely everything they have, in the best quality rugby imaginable, in pursuit of a prize both desperately wanted more than anything.

[@kobuslouw9533]

@@Zveebo Maybe in France bro. And Leinster fans. I wouldn't say the rest of the world. I don't think the French are exposed to test lvl rugby quite as much as the rest of the world. I mean when your French team play in Arg, I'm pretty sure you'd rather watch champions cup? I would too if Boks only sent B teams and didn't take the match seriously. If your star players went and say come and play in SA, or NZ. I promise you, that will be a spectacle no Champions game will come close to. Just look how big the game was in France recently with NZ

[@tobymacdonald-brown8906]

How Saracens are top after losing to Newcastle blows my mind. Bath is by far the best English team right now

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah probably a bit on past reputation in Europe aye

[@andrewharris1837]

Some cracking games this round start with Bath &La Rochelle😊

[@Thatiscutebr0]

I feel like Bath could be a dark horse team for the champions cup. They were the only team to not get a home round of 16, despite winning 3 and losing 1 last year, so they could do quite well

[@patrickchilds2987]

@@TwoCentsRugby I’m guessing Saracens odds are higher than Baths because of the quality of the individual groups . Much will also depend on who they play at home , especially as there are no return fixtures

[@olivier6699]

And they lost against La Rochelle. Top 14 will stomp this Cup again

[@viehanvanrheedevanoudtshoo6205]

Thanks Two Cents

[@bluessj9k]

05:20 As a non springbok supporter from South Africa, yes Mark the URC and the 'openness' of the URC is catching on quickly, but the CC is not. I do think it has to do with 1) lack of advertising compared to URC and even the Currie Cup, and 2) the SA teams haven't done too well in the CC whereas the Stormers won it once and were runners-up, and the Bulls were runners-up last year. Those two are the biggest clubs in SA i.t.o history. I do think the Sharks will prioritise the CC this year, if they can pull off winning it might light a fire underneath the 'bigger' unions.

[@Carbojaco]

Allez le stade français !! Nice outfit ❤

[@somersetfan1]

It all about depth in Europe, the deepest squads do best as homefield advantage in the knockout stages is key. English clubs overachieved Iast year. This year they're financially weaker again, except Bath. So expect URC teams to do better. The best games are when the top tier are playing away, so Bath - La Rochelle and Bristol - Leinster should set the tone. Saracens - Bulls also. If all 3 English teams lose, it doesn't look good for the premiership...

[@patrickchilds2987]

In this format in the group stages there are no return fixtures so home advantage as demonstrated last year was a big factor in progression. I agree that the deepest squads are ultimately the key in winning this competition which is why clubs like Leinster, La Rochelle and Stade Toulous domi . I don’t know how the Premiership sides will do this year, certainly over the last few years they have been written off, however last year they were very competitive. This year I am not so sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if one makes the semi final. The European Champions Cup has also taught us that upsets happen, but looking at the first round it is hard to see many premiership sides winning. Saracens vs Bulls will be a very interesting game, on form this year you would pick the Bulls but Saracens although inconsistent and injury hit in the premiership are fielding a very strong side and if there is an upset this week, this could be it.

[@bradnaude2334]

Dont underestimate Sharks , they beat glascow this year and when they got their boks together they are deadly

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man if they can get the best out of the big guns they'll do well

[@viehanvanrheedevanoudtshoo6205]

Banana Boys

[@kingpower4631]

They were lucky to beat the stormers i don't mind sharks but the are terrible

[@viehanvanrheedevanoudtshoo6205]

@kingpower4631 Durban is hot and humid during December. Tough for anyone. Europeans probably gonna struggle in Durban or South Africa

[@kingpower4631]

@@viehanvanrheedevanoudtshoo6205 we'll see man but i feel the french can handle it a bit better than the uk teams idk

[@jamiebatch2470]

Bristol and Clermont both having pretty good seasons so far. Could be good outside bets at under 1%.

[@gezzarandom]

Can’t really say at this stage, best wait until the knockout stages. Plus I agree, the previous format was better.

[@marcpauchet7157]

I'd place UBB above La Rochelle this year, frankly, though still behind Leinster and Toulouse...

[@neilmontgomery3470]

Realistically Leinster are about the only non French team who can contest this competition as well as their domestic league. Toulouse are absolutely favourites but if they are missing Dupont their chances decline significantly. I was at the final last year and his influence on the outcome was huge. Bordeaux are also in with a good shout. La Rochelle might focus on the Champions Cup if they are behind in the Top 14. Form in the Six nations might have an influence in the knockout stages. Leinster and Toulouse make up the majority of their national teams.

[@7101275129087]

Give the SA teams a tiny bit of credit.

[@ctorus]

If Dupont wasn't there, Leinster would have won that final - he singlehandedly saved two tries. But he was there..

[@marcpauchet7157]

True! But then again, how would have Ireland fared without the BOD all those years...?

[@financialliberty2381]

@@marcpauchet7157well, Ireland have arguably performed much better after BOD retired so that's a bad example

[@marcpauchet7157]

@@financialliberty2381 I feel you are missing the point: if the BOD had not been there, how would have Ireland and Leinster performed? That's not to say they couldn't do better later...

[@bernardswart2019]

From now on I will refer to the Sharks as the Shark Sharks thanks to Mark

[@HeidiLandRover]

Are they ever referred to as the Durban Sharks?

[@foxyboiiyt3332]

Gonna be at the Munster game and its my 50th birthday on the day! Please let Munster win :) Munster Abu

[@brizzleb-n2r]

Come on Bristol we are always underestimated by bookies and pundits!! Up the Bears 🐻🔵⚪🔵⚪

[@valeriebianco4505]

Toulouse !!!

[@charlottescott7150]

The odds are strange based in current form but interesting none the less.

[@patrickchilds2987]

I’m guessing that the odds will be effected by a teams group and how many home games they get. Remember that the current format does not have return games. Therefore a side with the most home games will have an advantage

[@ryandeetlefs1578]

The shark's 0.9 😂😂😂 il certainly put a punt on that because I feel they are one of the favorites with their current team

[@Camcolito]

Yeah there is a lot of value in that bet I think.

[@scooter0012]

Does the fact the 6N runs throughout the Champions Cup fixture list play against any team playing against South African teams?

[@kyleduplooy5341]

I don't get this "don't take the comp seriously" thing. Don't take part then and streamline the pool stage.

[@kropotkine9640]

I don't think they can refuse. The teams are in this tournament based on their results in their respective championship also the past winners of the Challenge and Champions Cup are automatically qualified if they didn't get in via their domestic league

[@kristian762]

Ja as a South African for me the URC is the main focus, however I am definately interested in the Champions Cup and would like to see our teams do well. I don't fully understand the format yet, but im sure I'll figure it out.

[@eamonlyons8069]

Mate, neither do us old timers. Wish it was the older format or fuck, even straight knockout with two legs.

[@Camcolito]

The format is, you keeping winning games and eventually you get the cup. Or if you're Leinster just lose the last one 😂 :(

[@kristian762]

@Camcolito unless you're playing away then you send a kak team because it doesn't matter ? I've managed to pick up that much so far at least 😂

[@Camcolito]

@@kristian762 :P

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

I don't understand the percentage system at all. Can't get my head around it. I find the bookies odds much simpler

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Basically converting the bookies odds into a percentage - but taking out the overround so it makes a total of 100% instead of the 130% they'd have it

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@TwoCentsRugby thanks for this Mark. It was the overround that got me

[@LFG-Royalty]

The Bulls will win it!!💙💙

[@bristowezt9751]

Bulls aren’t beating Saracens tomorrow. English storm will be in Sarries favour

[@patrickchilds2987]

Despite Saracens inconsistent form this year in the premiership,they finally have a lot of key players back from injury and are fielding a very strong team . The Bulls are a fine team , I think it will be a close game but i think Saracens will take it.

[@trevorcairns6535]

Superbru pool ?

[@coreyv8150]

SA teams got smoked in France the last times they played there. Toulouse beat a Sharks team with 11 Boks by 30 points..... Not easy for SA sides to play in Europe and vice versa.

[@financialliberty2381]

No Etzebeth in that Sharks team which played Toulouse. And his impact on any team is at least as big as DuPont's impact on Toulouse if not bigger (see the last RWC 1/4 final where he almost single-handedly carried his team to the 1/2 final)

[@NiallMcKenzie]

"best of the Premiership" - it's 80% of the premiership, it includes most the dross of that league! seems odd how low Glasgow are giving they are playing Toulon, Quins and Sale in the group stage

[@Zveebo]

Glasgow have generally underperformed in the CC in the past. Need to see whether this will be a focus for them this year - being seeded means it’s the best chance they’ve had.

[@Camcolito]

Glasgow are a good bet at those odds, very good team.

[@justsceptic3085]

toulouse fan here,dont understimate bordeaux...

[@okkertgreyvenstein5765]

I think the Bulls stand a good chance beating Sarries this weekend, going to be close, the schedule worked in the bulls favor, so not a lot of long distance travel, and our boks are used to the conditions , so its goinhg to be a belter of a game thats for sure

[@patrickchilds2987]

Yes agree, certainly one of the tastiest fixtures of the weekend

[@andrewjohnston3937]

I don’t think there is a lot of buy in to the champions cup for SA fans because our teams don’t get home games as far as I know, our teams always play at the oppositions stadium. Correct me if I’m wrong. It just seems unfair if that is the case and like the odds are stacked against us.

[@jean-pascalesparceil9008]

Hollywood Sharks will play Stade Toulousain at home on January 11th.

[@Zveebo]

You get home games just the same as everyone else.

[@kropotkine9640]

You're totally wrong... Each team has 2 games at home in the pool stage even the SA ones Last year Stormers received La Rochelle and Sale Sharks, Bulls received Saracens and Bordeaux And in the knock out rounds Stormers and Bulls had each a game at home

[@patrickchilds2987]

@@kropotkine9640yes you are correct. Each team has 2 home games.

[@kobuslouw9533]

SA should just completely withdraw from the Champions Cup. Not like we take it seriously anyways. Champions Cup for us is like test rugby for France. Just send B team, get out ASAP, and call it a day.

[@Zveebo]

That would be a real waste. Why would you not want to play the best sides in the world?

[@kobuslouw9533]

@@Zveebo Definitely, unfortunately they had to be French. So no not really.

[@Zveebo]

@@kobuslouw9533 Bit weird, man.

[@Camcolito]

@@Zveebo Champions Cup is the premier competition in Europe, it has lost a bit of gloss in recent years but would love to see the Saffa teams go all out for it.

[@daithipol]

The english bollixed the structure and sold rights that they didnt own to bt sports meaning fans needed to pay 2 subs. 🤮🤮

[@davidpells4298]

My favourite rugby analyst ...Don't underestimate The Sharks .. Plumtree needs a trophy or he is gone ...He will target big time this comp ..On paper a potentially great team ..it's showdown time ..

[@eoinh3816]

On paper Leinster have the best all round team, absolutely no doubt now with Barrett and Snyman. Toulouse have the best player in the world and one of the best ever which balances things out. Leo Cullen and Ross Byrne will be the main thing stopping Leinster I reckon.

[@aonghus3860]

I'd be surprised if Ross starts in the champions cup. All the signs are that he is going with Prendergast and Frawley as long as they are available

[@Camcolito]

Toulouse probably have just as good a team on paper in fairness.

[@aonghus3860]

@@Camcolito I would say so

[@financialliberty2381]

@@Camcolitoyep, they have the better halfbacks, arguably a better back three, a back row which can match Leinster's (Willis, Cros, Roumat), a second row which is at least as good as Leinster (Meafou, Flament) and the same for the front row (Baille, Marchand/Mauvaka, etc...)

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

Glasgow will be off to a flyer with 5 points against a rubbish english prem team

[@jaundrekruger2993]

You don't feel like making predictions before gameday,would be nice💯