All to play for in final week of Champions Cup pool action

The final weekend of pool action in the Investec Champions Cup takes place this weekend, with many of the places in the knockout round still all to play for.

The weekend kicks off in Belfast on Friday night, as Exeter Chiefs travel to the Kingston to play Ulster at 8pm. Both teams have struggled for form in both the cup and the league, as the two sides have lost all three pool games, coming of the back of heavy defeats to Leicester Tigers and Bordeaux respectively.

Chiefs are without Olly Woodburn and England International Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with Woodburn set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Exeter makes 11 changes to their starting 15, with Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins being called up for England and Wales respectively. Will Goodrick-Clarke, Risi Tuma, Christ Tshiunza, Will Haydon-Wood and Will Rigg all start having come off the bench last weekend. Ross Vintcent comes back into the squad and starts at number eight.

A bonus point win could put either side in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage, relying on Bordeaux defeating the Sharks by a big margin.

Saturday’s action begins in South Africa, as the Bulls host Stade Francais. The French side still have slim hopes of qualifying for the next round.

At 3.15pm, Northampton Saints host Munster. The Saints currently sit first in pool three, and have already qualified for the next round, and only a miracle would deny second place Munster of the same feat. Bristol Bears travel to Clermont, where a win for either side will put them in good shape to qualify out of pool two.

In one of the ties of the pool stage, United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster host Premiership leaders Bath at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 5.30pm. Last year’s Champions Cup runners-up Leinster have already secured a home tie in the knockout stage, whilst Bath are still aiming to secure their spot.

Johann van Gran’s side were victorious over a 14-man Clermont at The Rec last weekend, thanks to impressive performances from Ollie Lawrence and Joe Cokanasiga.

Saturday night sees Harlequins host the Glasgow Warriors at the Twickenham Stoop at 8pm. Quins need a win to secure qualification against the already qualified Scottish Side.

Italian side Benetton host Stade Rochelais in Treviso, and with both sides suffering tight losses last weekend, another loss for either side could mean the end of their European campaign.

Sunday’s action commences in Paris as Racing 92 host the Stormers, with both teams in precarious positions in pool 4. A win for either team would confirm their spot in the knockout stage. High flying Bordeaux host the Sharks, with the South African side desperately needing a win to continue their campaign.

Saracens host Castres on Sunday afternoon, with both sides in line to qualify into the knockouts. Last year’s Champions Cup winner Toulouse host Leicester Tigers, Both sides have already qualified to the next stage, but home advantage is not yet guaranteed.

Sale Sharks host pool 4 leaders Toulon with the home side’s Champions Cup hopes on the line. The French side have impressed so far, including wins over the Stormers, Glasgow and Harlequins.