A few Champions Cup flames will be snuffed out
Today at 03:05 AM
ANALYSES: There is jeopardy in every game as the pool stages in the Champions Cup reach a climax.
There's plenty at stake with top seeding and home knockout spots, final qualification places, and EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 qualification all up for grabs.
As a reminder, the seeding for the knockouts is based on the total amount of points across all pools, and the top two teams in each pool secure a home tie in the Round of 16, while the fifth-placed team progress to the EPCR Challenge Cup knockouts.
Friday: Ulster host Exeter Chiefs
Kicking off the last pool stage weekend is a battle for EPCR Challenge Cup knockouts.
Both without a win so far, Ulster and Exeter Chiefs will be hoping for one last effort to continue their journeys in the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16.
Although both sides can mathematically still make the Champions Cup knockouts, it would rely on a bonus-point win with a bucket load of points to improve their difference and the Sharks to get nothing from their trip to Bordeaux-Bègles.
In their last outing against Leicester Tigers, Ulster gave a good showing in the first half with only two points in it at the break, but came undone in the second half, while Exeter Chiefs couldn't stem the flow of tries when hosting Bordeaux and just missed out on a losing bonus point.
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Saturday: Last chance for Racing 92, Stormers and Stade Français
It's a last-chance saloon for Stade Français Paris as they kick off Saturday's action against the Bulls, having reignited their hopes with a bonus-point 45-35 comeback win against Northampton Saints in Round Three.
To secure a Champions Cup knockout entry they'll need a bonus-point win while hoping Castres Olympique get nothing at Saracens on Sunday.
The Bulls will be playing for a spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup knockouts but will need a bonus-point win by 22 points and to deny the French anything from the game.
Two crucial clashes follow that on Saturday, with a top-of-the-table battle as Northampton Saints welcome Munster back to Franklin's Gardens, while Clermont Auvergne host Bristol Bears.
Despite the loss in Round Three, Pool Three leaders Saints secured knockout qualification thanks to a four-try losing bonus point, whereas Munster came from behind to beat Saracens in a cagey affair to climb up the table.
Munster need a point to qualify but will be out for revenge following last season's Round of 16 exit at the same ground, so will be aiming for a home knockout this time around with a win.
Simultaneously, Clermont and Bears do battle at Stade Marcel-Michelin with both sides on five points at the bottom of a very tight Pool Two - they both need a bonus-point win to put them in the best place for knockout qualification after the Bears got their first win in Round Three against Benetton and Clermont lost to Bath.
Pool Two will see a conclusion following that as Benetton host Stade Rochelais and Leinster welcome Bath. Four-time winners Leinster secured qualification with a thriller against modern rivals Stade Rochelais, who only need a point to qualify but will be gunning for a home knockout.
Benetton and Bath will both have their work cut out but any points will secure a Round of 16 spot, whether that's in the Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup is to be determined.
Two more decisive games conclude a cracking Saturday, as Racing 92 host the Stormers while Harlequins welcome Glasgow Warriors.
With only one win apiece following Stormers' first victory in Round Three over Sale Sharks and Racing falling to Glasgow, the two will battle it out for the final two knockout spots in Pool Four.
While the Scots will be out for revenge against Quins to aim for the best possible seeding for the knockouts having already qualified, the Warriors fell to the English side at the Round of 16 stage last season, while Quins will need a win to put themselves in a position to qualify at all.
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Sunday: Top seed spots on the line
A scintillating Sunday starts with Bordeaux hosting the Sharks at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Pool One.
The French side secured qualification with a bonus-point win over Exeter Chiefs but will be aiming for as many points as possible to get the best seeding for home knockout ties, while the Sharks were on the wrong side of a tight affair with reigning champions Stade Toulousain but just need a point to qualify.
A double-header of pivotal games follows as Stade Toulousain welcome Leicester Tigers and Saracens host Castres Olympique.
Similar to their French counterparts in the same pool, Stade Toulousain will also be aiming for as high a seeding as possible having already qualified, but Leicester could leapfrog the title holders into a home Round of 16 tie with a win.
Meanwhile, Saracens and Castres are both in with a chance of a home knockout spot in Pool Three with just a point splitting first and fourth.
Saracens won both games in December but couldn't get over the line against Munster in Round Three, while Castres got their second win of the campaign against Bulls, leaving them hunting for more but still looking over their shoulders with Stade Français also in a position to grab the last qualification spot.
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Source: @ChampionsCup
