Saturday’s Champions Cup predictions and rugby union tips

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's European Champions Cup games.

Best bets

Gloucester +17 1pm
1pt 4-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Munster to win by 11 to 20 points 3.15pm
1pt 12-5 bet365

Bulls -5 5.30pm
2pts 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Gloucester v Leinster

Where to watch

ITV 1 & BT Sport 2, 1pm Saturday

Preview

Gloucester felt the full might of Leinster when sending an under-strength side to the slaughter against the Champions Cup favourites in December's reverse fixture but they should be far more competitive at Kingsholm.

A repeat of the 57-0 beating dealt out by Leinster in Dublin is extremely unlikely as Cherry and Whites head coach George Skivington has selected a much stronger side for the rematch.

Skivington has made just two changes from last week’s loss to Saracens, a game that Gloucester let slip through their fingers, and a 17-point handicap seems huge for a team who rarely suffer heavy home losses, even factoring in Leinster winning their last Champions Cup away game by 32 points at Racing 92.

Gloucester are a far more gritty and tenacious team than the French side and even though Leinster have selected a team packed full of Ireland internationals, the hosts can hang on to the coat-tails of the four-time European champions.

Munster v Northampton

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3.15pm

Preview

A trip to Thomond Park is hardly the ideal assignment for travel-sick Northampton and Munster should maintain their push for a spot in the round of 16 with a comfortable win.

With a tough journey to Toulouse to wrap up the pool stage to come, it is imperative that Munster complete the double over the Saints after an excellent defensive display secured a 17-6 victory at Franklin's Gardens.

That win forms part of an impressive run of results for Graham Rowntree's side and the coach was able to rest a host of first-team regulars for last week's URC victory over the Lions which made it five wins from the last seven for Munster.

Fly-half Joey Carbery and skipper Peter O'Mahony should therefore be well rested for their returns to the line-up to face a Northampton team who have lost eight of their ten away matches this season, conceding an average of 34 points per game on their travels.

Bulls v Exeter Chiefs

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.30pm

Preview

The Bulls fielded weakened teams in the first two rounds of the Champions Cup, resulting in a win over Lyon and a pummeling by Exeter but, with a place in the knockout stages still in their sights, they have gone strong for the rematch with the Chiefs.

There is a host of familiar talent in the starting line-up and on the bench for the Bulls, who have been running over visitors to Loftus Versfeld Stadium recently, scoring at least 40 points in each of their last four games.

The Chiefs shouldn't be brushed aside as easily, having selected arguably their best line-up, featuring stars such as Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade, but they are tough to trust based on recent away results.

Exeter were outmuscled in their last road engagement at Saracens as they suffered a fourth loss in their last five games away from home and the Bulls could end up bullying the Chiefs into submission.

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