Bath v London Irish predictions and rugby union tips: Expect entertaining affair

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Bath v London Irish in the European Challenge Cup on Friday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Bath to win by one to 12 points
1pt 9-5 Betfair

Match preview

Two entertaining and exciting but inconsistent teams face off in the first quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup, just two weeks after they played out a rollercoaster match which ended with nine tries, two red cards and a 36-33 win for London Irish.

They didn't leave it there either, as Bath twice went 14 points down at Italian side Zebre in last weekend's quarter-final before triumphing 35-27, while Irish put on another tryfest to beat Cardiff 41-35.

So we know both sides can score and ship tries and with the attacking talent on display at the Rec it would be no surprise to see another high-scoring contest.

England internationals Anthony Watson, Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh McConnochie form a devastating Bath back three while Scotland's Cameron Redpath returns in the midfield.

But Irish have line-breakers of their own and the half-back pairing of Nick Phipps and Paddy Jackson is working well.

Bath are 8-15 shots to take the spoils and look the right favourites. They were neck and neck with Irish for the first hour in the Premiership encounter two weeks ago before suffering two quick red cards and playing the final 20 minutes with 13 men.

But the Exiles' scoring threat can't be discounted and the best bet may be that the hosts are pushed all the way en route to victory.

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