London Irish v Montpellier predictions & rugby union tips: French fancy cup run

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Friday's Heineken Champions Cup Pool B clash between London Irish and Montpellier.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Montpellier -2
2pts 10-11 bet365

London Irish v Montpellier preview

French champions Montpellier are ready to fight on two fronts this season after sacrificing Europe in pursuit of domestic glory last term and could overwhelm London Irish in the Champions Cup curtain-raiser.

Montpellier are a rising force in French rugby under former national head coach Philippe Saint-Andre, landing the European Challenge Cup in 2021 before following up with a first Top 14 title last season.

Their next goal is to win the Champions Cup, a competition in which last season they received a few reminders of how hard the next step will be to take.

Montpellier were thumped at 42-6 by Exeter Chiefs and embarrassed 89-7 at Leinster in last season's competition but on both occasions Saint-Andre sent a weakened side across the English Channel, something he has no intention of doing this time around after resting some of his big hitters for last week's Top 14 loss at Clermont with a view to keeping them fresh for Friday's trip to London.

Saint-Andre’s now shown his hand, naming George Bridge, Anthony Bouthier, Paolo Garbisi and rising star Louis Carbonel among an exciting backline, while Englishman Zach Mercer starts at the back of a heavyweight pack.

It’s a formidable Montpellier line-up, one that should prove far too strong for a London Irish side who have lost four of their last five Premiership matches to leave them in languishing in tenth position.

The Exiles will also be without the game-changing talents of full-back Henry Arundell, who is out with a foot injury, and although there’s the potential for the hosts to cause a few issues for a Montpellier team with a far from stellar away record, it is still a daunting Champions Cup return for the English side after an 11-year hiatus.

The European Challenge Cup also starts on Friday with Premiership basement dwellers Bristol up against a Perpignan side struggling in the Top 14.

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