Northampton Saints host the Bulls in Round 2 of the Champions Cup on Sunday, there were contrasting results for both these sides last weekend and it’s the Saints who start as very firm favourites to come out on top.
Northampton Saints v Bulls, Sunday 14th December, Northampton, KO 17:15 (South African time)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Rob McDowell (Sco), Dave Sutherland (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Weather Forecast - Northampton
Northampton Saints:
After finishing as runners up in this competition last season the Saints began their campaign away to Section Paloise who are going well in the French Top 14. They started as favourites at around -6.5 points on the main handicap line and despite trailing 14-12 at the break they came away with a 35-27 win, scoring 5 tries to 3 to add an extra bonus point.
After this Round 3 sees Northampton head to Bordeaux before they finish the pool stage at home to the Scarlets.
In the English Premiership the Saints have won 4 of their first 6 matches, drawing 1 and losing the other and they are in third place on the log, level on points with Exeter and 3 points behind Bath who set the pace. Results in home fixtures include a draw with Exeter Chiefs (33-33), a wins over Leicester Tigers (32-26) and Saracens (43-31). Their only defeat so far came away to Bristol (46-12) in their most recent outing.
To win the Champions Cup title this season the Saints are 16/1 shots with Hollywoodbets
Bulls:
The Bulls were supported into -2.5 point favourites (from +2.5 points) for their opening match against defending champions Bordeaux at Loftus but a sterling second half show from UBB saw them come back to claim a full 5 points with a 46-33 victory. The Bulls were 11 points in front by half time but then conceded 24 points in the second 40 minutes without adding to their own tally. The Bulls did score 5 tries (and conceded 7) to grab a bonus point.
The Bulls now renew rivalry with the Saints who beat them 30-21 at Loftus in last season’s pool stage.
As far as the Pool 4 standings are concerned UBB and the Saints both have 5 points and Bristol Bears have 4. The Scarlets and the Bulls both have 1 point and Section Paloise have yet to open their account.
In the URC the Bulls have had a very indifferent start. They lost 43-33 to the Lions at Loftus last weekend and their record of 3 wins and 3 defeats for 15 log points puts them in 8th position, 1 point and 1 place behind the Lions and 12 points adrift of the log leading Stormers.
After this Round 3 in January see the Bulls host Bristol Bears and they finish up away to Pau.
To win the Champions Cup title this season the Bulls are 40/1 shots with Hollywoodbets
Team News
Northampton: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 JJ van der Mescht, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Craig Wright, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Cleopas Kundiona, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Ed Prowse, 21 Sam Graham, 22 Tom James, 23 Toby Thame
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Juann Else, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Mpilo Gumede, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Phillip-Albert van Niekerk
The Betting,
Average early show
Northampton Saints -21.5 points at 9/10
Bulls +21.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
Brent Graham's betting angle and plays for this weeks Champions Cup matches will be posted on this Blog.
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.