Betting preview: Irish duo backed

Editor

Ahead of the second round of this season’s Champions Cup, we take a look at the best bets from two pool fixtures taking place this weekend.

Munster v Gloucester

Having come through their first European Cup match in five years victorious, Gloucester will be riding on a wave of optimism. The Cherry and Whites are priced at 6/1 underdogs with William Hill, Betfair and Paddy Power while on the handicap they’re given a 14 point start at 10/11.

Both sides have won three from six of their domestic matches this season. But it is Gloucester, who sit top of Pool 2 after the first round.

Munster are sweating on the fitness of prop John Ryan, who suffered an ankle injury during the game against Exeter last weekend. Meanwhile, wing Keith Earls, who withdrew from the squad shortly before that 10-10 match at Sandy Park, is also awaiting diagnosis on an ankle injury.

The last time Gloucester appeared in the Champions Cup, they were drawn in the same group as Munster, alongside Edinburgh and Perpignan. It was the last time the sides met and Gloucester fought bravely for an hour but Munster pulled away in the last quarter for a 26-10 victory.

Munster are unsurprisingly favourites for this one too and best priced at 1/7 with 888 sport to come out on top. Spreadex have the Thomond Park outfit at 2/5 to be ahead at half-time and full-time on Saturday and we feel that should be a safe bet with the 16th man behind them.

Toulouse v Leinster

Our pick from Sunday’s games comes from Stade Ernest Wallon where another two sides enter Round Two with a win under their belt. Toulouse somehow managed to finish on top at Bath last weekend while Leinster kicked off the competition in formidable style as they thumped Wasps.

Leinster are the bookmakers’ favourites to get the job done in France this weekend and are best priced 4/11 with bet365, William Hill and BetVictor. Despite being on the road we can’t see Leo Cullen’s men coming out on the losing side. They’re 13/20 on the half-time/full-time.

Toulouse will be without the suspended Jerome Kaino over the coming weeks and his absence adds further weight to Leinster getting the job done. The best option for the handicap on Leinster would be -7 with William Hill at 10/11, with the majority going with an 8-point margin.

Leinster played some outstanding rugby in Dublin last Friday and look set to push hard for honours once again, with James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton, Luke McGrath and Tadhg Furlong all looking in peak form even at this early stage of the season. Leinster by 13+ is 13/10 (SkyBet).