Sunday’s Champions Cup predictions and rugby union tips: Smith can inspire Quins

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

Best bets

London Irish +3 1pm
2pts 10-11 Hills

Harlequins +10 3.15pm
1pt 10-11 Betfred

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London Irish v Stormers

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 1pm

Preview

Visiting the Gtech Community Stadium has been a far less enjoyable experience than the family-friendly name would suggest this season, and the Stormers are the latest side who look set for an uncomfortable experience.

London Irish have won six of their eight home matches in all competitions with narrow losses by one point to Gloucester and five to French champions Montpellier the only blots on their record.

The Exiles recently handed Saracens their first defeat of the season, proving they can front up against a power-packed outfit, and reigning URC champions the Stormers present a similar problem.

The South African side won the reverse fixture by 20 points, but this is London Irish’s best chance to secure a win on their return to the Champions Cup after an 11-year absence so they should be highly motivated.

The Stormers aren’t quite at full strength and are worth opposing. London Irish have covered the handicap in five of their six league and European games at home this season.

Racing 92 v Harlequins

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 3.15pm

Preview

Racing 92 set themselves the goal of winning the Champions Cup at the start of the season, but after two rounds of the pool stages, the star-studded French outfit are facing an early exit.

A 42-10 home humbling by Leinster followed by a 14-10 defeat to Harlequins has left Racing on one point and with the reverse fixture against Leinster still to be played, they face an uphill battle to reach the last 16.

Racing’s team selection suggests they aren’t ready to give up on Europe yet with Finn Russell and Gael Fickou among the big names included, but nothing about Racing’s recent performances suggests they are about to blow Harlequins away.

Racing have gone five games without a win, breaking the 20-point barrier only once in that run, and while Quins are riding a three-game losing run, they are boosted by the return of key trio Marcus Smith, Joe Marler and Wilco Louw.

Playing with the roof closed at Racing’s La Defense Arena should suit Harlequins’ ball-in-hand style of play and they could keep this closer than the handicap suggests.

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