Saturday's European Champions Cup predictions and rugby union tips

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

Sale v Bristol

Where to watch

Channel 4 & BT Sport 3, 1pm

Best bet

Sale to win by one to 12 points
1pt 13-10 bet365

Match preview

An all-English clash kicks off Saturday's last-16 action, and considering Sale still have work to do to make the playoffs, they have put out a strong team for this first leg.

Neither side have been in great form - Sale have one win in their last five Premiership outings, Bristol one in seven - and a scrappy, tight game looks most likely, although the two-legged format may mean the hosts feel under more pressure to build a score.

But it's not always easy for a team to step away from their blueprint, and when you consider that 12 of Sale's 20 league games this season have been decided by 12 points or fewer while another three have been draws, a narrow home win looks the best bet.

Bordeaux v La Rochelle

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 1pm

Best bet

La Rochelle
1pt 13-8 Coral

Match preview

Bordeaux are riding high in the Top 14 but that's not always a good sign for a French club's commitment to Europe, and they are on a run of just one win in five.

La Rochelle were 16-15 winners in Bordeaux last weekend and given their stronger European pedigree - they were beaten finalists last year - they look good value to repeat the feat.

Toulouse v Ulster

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 3.15pm

Best bet

Toulouse -10
2pts 10-11 bet365

Match preview

Ulster are the higher-seeded team in their half of the draw but a trip to reigning European champions Toulouse is a tough ask, and 12-point underdogs Ulster will probably be happy if they can keep it close for next week's return in Belfast.

Conversely, Toulouse will want to make as much of home advantage in the first leg as they can and with creative spark Antoine Dupont at scrum-half, they can pull clear for a double-figure winning margin.

Exeter v Munster

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 5.30pm

Best bet

Munster +7
3pts 10-11 general

Match preview

This is every inch a heavyweight contest and Munster look ready to give their all in the first leg.

Although they were beaten by Leinster last weekend, that run-out will have Munster battle-hardened against an Exeter side struggling to impose themselves the way they have in past seasons.

The Chiefs have lost their last two matches and their last nine Premiership wins have all been by a single-figure margin so the visitors look the bet with a seven-point start.

Stade Francais v Racing

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra, 5.30pm

Best bet

Racing to win by 15 or more points
1pt 5-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Stade Francais's lack of interest in this competition was apparent from round one when they sent a weakened team to Connacht and were beaten 36-9.

They lie 11th in the Top 14 and were beaten 53-20 at city rivals Racing just last week so it's hard to see them turning that around against the top seeds in their half of the draw.

The handicap is set at seven points and it's worth taking the bigger prices on a much more convincing win as Racing would surely love to put the tie to bed early.

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