European Champions Cup predictions and rugby union tips: Chiefs can progress

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's European Champions Cup quarter-finals.

La Rochelle v Sale

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

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

Match preview

In a last eight featuring Toulouse, Clermont and Racing 92, La Rochelle might look like makeweights in the heavy French representation in the European Champions Cup.

But Les Corsaires served notice in their big win at Gloucester last week that they are fully focused on performing in Europe and the visiting Sale Sharks know they are in for a huge test.

La Rochelle sit second in the Top 14 and head the home standings with nine wins out of ten.

Sale have twice visited the Stade Marcel-Deflandre fortress, losing by four and seven points, and those scorelines give an indication of how this match between two uncompromising physical sides could play out.

Sale were dominant up front against Scarlets last week as they racked up a 57-15 win, but if there's a pack of forwards in this competition who can outmuscle them it looks to be that of La Rochelle, who bring powerhouse prop Uini Atonio back into the starting line-up.

France full-back Brice Dulin is also back in the side and with Kiwi pairing Tawera Kerr Barlow and Ihaia West pulling the strings, they look strong home favourites.

Sale look set to push them all the way though - eight of their ten Premiership wins and all five of their defeats this season have come by one to 12 points.

Exeter v Leinster

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Exeter
2pts 6-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

This is a huge showdown between reigning champions Exeter and tournament favourites Leinster, teams who possess very similar qualities of a winning mentality and controlled, clinical execution.

The sides have met four times before in Europe and Leinster have won the lot. But the Chiefs showed in the knockout stage last year, beating Toulouse and Racing to lift the trophy, that they have earned a European pedigree and this looks a great chance to back them at odds-against.

After a near flawless 2019-20 campaign Exeter hit a couple of bumps at the start of the year, going on a run of four defeats in seven matches.

But with their international cadre back and some sensible rotation in selection they look ready for this clash and switching their starting and replacement props is the only change from the team who were so impressive in beating Lyon last week.

This is a step up but Leinster's preparation has not been ideal after their round-of-16 match against Toulon was cancelled.

Their last match was the Pro14 final a fortnight ago, and while they are too good a team to be caught cold, a home game against Toulon would have been a good way to switch focus whereas they are thrown straight in to a trip to Sandy Park.

The most impressive aspect to Exeter's rise to the very top in Europe is their level-headed and systematic approach imbued by director of rugby Rob Baxter, and they look in the perfect place to deliver a winning performance.

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