Betting preview: Toulon to shock Munster
With the Champions Cup and Super Rugby taking centre stage this weekend, we look at the best odds from those competitions.
Rebels v Hurricanes
While this encounter may play second fiddle to the Champions Cup matches, it should be an intriguing affair. The reverse fixture last season was arguably the Melbourne-based outfit’s lowest point during their eight-year history, losing 71-6 in Wellington, but they are vastly improved in 2018.
David Wessels’ men have won four out of five matches and are top of the Australian Conference. Although this will be their biggest test, the 10/3 odds with William Hill and Marathon Bet appear generous.
It would be an upset should the Australians overcome their New Zealand rivals, particularly with their franchises failing to defeat any of their foes from across the Tasman Sea since 2016, but confidence can do remarkable things.
They also have one of the form back three players in the competition in Jack Maddocks and the full-back is 20/1 at Bet365 to open the match’s try-scoring account. Favourite in this market, however, is the ‘Canes Ben Lam, who is in excellent form following a two-try performance against the Highlanders last weekend. The wing is 10/1 at Bet365 to touch down while discarded New Zealand international Julian Savea is at 12s with Sky Bet.
Munster v Toulon
Although Leinster’s contest versus the defending champions Saracens takes top billing for most observers, this game is perhaps more interesting from a betting perspective.
Despite Munster’s European form this season and, of course, the Thomond Park factor, matters are possibly transpiring against the two-time champions leading into the game. Injuries are mounting up, preparation has not been ideal and, more pertinently, Toulon are beginning to find their form.
The French outfit were outstanding last weekend as they thrashed Clermont 49-0, but they are still seen as outsiders with them 11/5 at Betfair to claim a semi-final place.
Munster, meanwhile, are best priced 8/13 with Paddy Power to emerge triumphant, even though Keith Earls is out and their other Ireland players have not featured since winning the Six Nations.
The break could serve them well, with freshness possibly being decisive in the latter stages. Should that occur then for Toulon to be leading at half-time with Munster to eventually win, it is 33/5 at Marathonbet, but the hosts’ lack of game time may be a hindrance.
Toulon also carry a significant threat and, in Semi Radradra and Chris Ashton, the visitors have two of the form backs in Europe. Either way, it should be tight and the visitors are 16/5 (Bet Stars) to win by a margin of 1-7 points.
Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92
The penultimate Champions Cup match of the weekend sees an all-French affair with struggling Clermont taking on an in-form Racing 92. Although Les Jaunards reached the final of Europe’s top-tier last season, they have struggled in 2017/18 and reside down in ninth position in the Top 14.
That is seven places and 21 points below the Parisians, who slightly surprisingly go into this contest as outsiders. The bookmakers evidently believe that Auvergne’s European experience and home advantage will give them a significant fillip, with the hosts 4/9 at Bet365 to secure a position in the last four.
Racing are therefore 5/2 at Betfair to overturn their domestic rivals and it is well worth a punt, such is their excellence in the second half of the campaign.
While the Marcel Michelin is one of the most intimidating grounds to visit, the Top 14 title contenders should be used to it and may well revel should they get off to a good start. These two teams have endured contrasting campaigns and Racing are a decent 11/1 to win by a margin of 11-20 points.