The short side: Big game, pace and plenty of needle

Adam Kyriacou
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Making its debut on Planet Rugby, we bring you the short side, your handy preview of the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action.

Champions Cup game to watch – Cardiff Blues v Saracens

It’s that time of the European season when we relish the return leg of the back-to-back fixtures, with the battle scars still fresh from one week ago. We pick out Cardiff Blues v Saracens here as last week produced a 10-try thriller with one of those a beauty from Matthew Morgan.

The artificial surface of Allianz Park is swapped for the artificial surface at Cardiff Arms Park so conditions under foot again won’t be a factor and it’s therefore likely to produce another free-flowing contest. Saracens are currently seed one and will be determined to pick up another bonus-point win to give themselves the best possible draw in the knockout stage and with the Blues still in playoff contention, don’t expect any towels to be thrown in.

Despite sitting on just four points the reigning Challenge Cup winners have not let themselves down in terms of performances and boast heaps of attacking talent like Gareth Anscombe, Morgan and Samu Manoa. The Blues will give a good account of themselves once again but the mighty Sarries should have too much quality in a game that promises much.

Player to watch – George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)

Deadly around the fringes of the ruck as Lyon and others have found to their cost in 2018/19, Horne is one of the stories of the year as he only made his Scotland debut in June against USA. He is crucial to how head coach Dave Rennie wants the Warriors to play and is forming an exciting partnership with Adam Hastings at half-back. Expect Horne to cause Lyon plenty of problems and could chip in with a try once again.

Team to watch – Leicester Tigers

How Leicester need a big performance in front of their supporters at Welford Road on Sunday. It’s been a dismal few weeks for Tigers and that has subsequently piled the pressure on interim head coach Geordan Murphy as they have lost their last seven games in all competitions. Last week’s performance was improved but there’s still glaring on-field issues for the once European giants. A victory over Racing 92 would be certainly lift the gloom.

One-v-one battle to watch – Ollie Thorley (Gloucester) v Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs)

Arguably the in-form player in Europe at the moment gets another crack at Exeter Chiefs this week. The Gloucester speedster has been a real catalyst to the Cherry and Whites this season and is flourishing in a game-plan that encourages attacking rugby. He made 139 metres at Sandy Park and will be a threat throughout at Kingsholm. England will no doubt be watching and surely considering his name.

Facing him on Friday will once again be Cordero, who beat the most defenders in the Champions Cup last weekend. The electric Argentine wing never disappoints on a rugby field and Exeter Chiefs will need him on song in the West Country if they are to avoid a third straight defeat.

Subplot to watch – Castres v Munster needle from last week

The meeting between these sides at Thomond Park was a fractious affair due to regular face-offs between the sets of players. While it was a problem throughout, things appeared to escalate when Rory Kockott came on to the field in the second-half and if he starts this week expect more needle at Stade Pierre-Fabre. Throw in both teams still being in the race for the knockouts and this should be a tight, physical game.

Bet of the weekend – Bath better than suggests

The bookies have Bath with a 24-point handicap for their match at Leinster and while the Irish should come out on top, that handicap feels high at a price of 10/11. Bath made life hard for Leinster at the Rec and if they pick a similar team for Saturday that could happen again.

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