Sunday's European Champions Cup predictions and rugby union tips

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

Best bets

Northampton +5
2pts 8-11 Boyles

Sale +14
1pt 10-11 Boyles

Alex Dombrandt to score a try
1pt 10-3 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Northampton v Munster

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 1pm Sunday

Match preview

Northampton and Munster experienced varying degrees of failure when losing to high-quality French opposition in round one of the Champions Cup, making this a must-not-lose game for two former kings of Europe.

An understrength Saints team were throttled by reigning European champions La Rochelle, extending a two-year winless run in this competition, while Munster managed a creditable effort in a narrow reverse against Toulouse.

Another defeat for either side will make qualification for the last-16 very difficult and Munster’s line-up suggests they will go for broke, naming an attacking side that’s bolstered by the fit-again Conor Murray and Keith Earls.

Northampton are also reinforced with Alex Mitchell and Courtney Lawes recalled and Saints will be confident of an upset given their recent record at home, winning 11 of the last 12 games at Franklin’s Gardens.

Munster’s poor away record this season makes them tough to trust and taking the points on underdogs Northampton is the preference for a high-stakes encounter.

Toulouse v Sale

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 1pm

Match preview

Thrashing Ulster 39-0 was the perfect start to Sale’s Champions Cup campaign and while backing up that result at Toulouse will be extremely difficult, the Sharks can’t be written off completely.

Toulouse’s team is packed full of France internationals - Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont are the half-back pairing - but they haven’t been at the top of their game lately, failing to win three of their last five matches.

Munster found a way to stifle Toulouse’s attacking talent last week and a Sale side with the best defensive record in the Premiership will be no pushovers.

Sale have named a strong team, minus the injured Manu Tuilagi, and 14 points is a generous handicap mark for the in-form Sharks.

Harlequins v Racing 92

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.30pm

Match preview

Racing have drifted right out in the Champions Cup betting after being mauled by Leinster last week and there are no guarantees they’ll get back on track at Harlequins in a potential try-fest.

Racing have made nine changes to the team bullied by a Leinster pack that accounted for five of the province’s six tries, mapping out a path to victory for Quins.

Quins don’t have the same level of talent up front as Leinster but back-rower Alex Dombrandt should like his chances of punching holes in the French line.

Dombrandt was a regular Champions Cup tryscorer last season, bagging seven in six games, and can dot down once more in a game where the points should flow freely.

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