The opening round of the European Rugby Challenge Cup taught us a few of things, first and foremost that the Frenchies won’t be taking it that seriously. Three French teams did win, but only one of those victories came against a side who might actually have designs on going far in the tournament (Bayonne’s win over Exeter). Here are our predictions for round two.
London Welsh and Bordeaux Begles kick things off on Thursday night at the Kassam Stadium. On paper it should be an easy win for Bordeaux, who are flying high in the French Top 14, against a winless London Welsh side whose confidence must be at rock bottom. That said, Bordeaux were one of the French sides who could be accused of not taking the tournament that seriously in round one, succumbing to a home loss to Edinburgh. They have named a weaker team again, but with the hapless Exiles also naming plenty of second team players in their team, it should still be a comfortable win for the visitors.
London Irish’s visit to Grenoble is a game between two sides who lack for star names but make up for it in team spirit, and both of whom have shocked bigger names already this season. Irish have named close to a full strength team and should have enough to get a win on French soil. Meanwhile the Falcons’ trip to the Dragons sees two sides who both managed bonus point victories in the opening round face off. The Dragons’ shock, and highly impressive, win at Stade Français should give them enough confidence to beat Newcastle at home.
Edinburgh and Lyon are similarly unbeaten, another game in which something has to give. Lyon, as is typical of the French, are a different team away from home and all the way up in the Scottish capital, they will likely come unstuck. Stade Français and Cardiff Blues will expect to put a fair few points past Bucharest Wolves and Rugby Rovigo respectively.
Exeter’s clash with Connacht is the highlight of Sunday. Once again, what they lack for in stellar names they more than make up for in togetherness. It will be a fiercely fought affair, but at Sandy Park the Chiefs should be too strong for the travelling Irishmen.
SuperBru predictions:
London Welsh v Bordeaux Begles: Bordeaux Begles by 15
Grenoble v London Irish: London Irish by 6
La Rochelle v Bayonne: La Rochelle by 9
Newport Gwent Dragons v Newcastle Falcons: Newport Gwent Dragons by 12
Brive v Zebre: Brive by 20
Edinburgh v Lyon: Edinburgh by 6
Rugby Rovigo v Cardiff Blues: Cardiff Blues by 44
Bucharest Wolves v Stade Francais: Stade Francais by 30
Exeter Chiefs v Connacht Rugby: Exeter Chiefs by 10
US Oyonnax v Gloucester Rugby: Gloucester Rugby by 5
How do you see the weekend going?
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Glos by 5? 50 surely?!
Mmm maybe 5 was s bit low, but Oyonnax have beaten the likes of Clermont and Toulon at home, so depending on how much of their first team they decide to play it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest it’ll be a close game.
You are absolutely right about the French sides not taking the Challenge Cup seriously -I mean you take away the carrot of Champions Cup qualification and there';s not a whole lot to play for. But Bordeaux have actually chosen a strong side for this evenings game -almost strongest available if you look at their line ups for recent Castres 59-7 win v Castres. They rested players last weekend and it backfired. But I think they’re prepping for a serious cut at Stade Francais in Paris next week, and will treat the game v London Welsh as a full blooded training game. Conditions set to be dry so looking forward to seeing Metuisela Talebulamaijaina on the wing.
Of the French sides in T14, Bordeaux are amongst the better travellers…lost 18-13 away to Toulon and turned over new boys La Rochelle on their travels also.
Treviso and London Welsh have been whipping boys in their domestic leagues. I am genuinely sorry to see this, but I cannot see a change any time soon. Bordeaux by a lot I fear.
Agree with London Irish pick but could be by more -Grenoble not commited here with same side out as per last week.
I think Zebre will go closer than 20 v Brive. Zebre have named a strong side, and look by far the strongest Italian side now.
I think Edinburgh will thump Lyon by 20+
Wolves should do better v SF ..ie if you took a form line through last weekends game.
But I appreciate the lottery element to some of these picks..French sides may not be motivated by the competition itself, but may call on stronger line ups when preparing their teams for ensuing T14 clashes.
Larax is corrrect. Jamie does not have the luxury of seeing the team sheets before making picks. We ought to give him leeway to make picks in stages once he has viewed teams. One could have anticipated Edinburgh win last week. The French are making this tournament a waste of time. Shame. They should sign a contract as part of participation that they will field a 1st XV. They are getting the benefit of money for rubbish. We could get teams who really want to take part. Maybe national teams from Georgia, Russia and Romania? BTW. Well done Scarlets for putting out a strong team when they were potentially on a hiding to nothing. They gave value for money.
Agreed -kudos to Jamie for sending out picks on a Thursday…far easier to react to the picks than pioneer them. I think the Challenge Cup needs a reward -would suggest not 1,but even 2 spots afforded to the following year’s Cup. Cue more squabbles amongst the leagues.
Of course still no certainty of T14 sides taking tournamenbt seriously, ie with only 4 or 5 of those sides with strong enough depth to tackle domestic and European leagues