Bulls, Stormers can still qualify for Round of 16 in Champions Cup

Who will qualify for the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup. Already eight clubs have qualified – and eight are to join them as this weekend’s final round will determine which 16 clubs go through and what challenges await them as the tournament starts to move to knock-out mode. Can the Stormers and the Blue Bulls still join them?

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With four pools of six teams, four qualify from each pool while the fifth side drops to the EPCR Challenge Cup, and the side finishing sixth is ousted. So with one round to go there is still everything to play for.

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We take a look at who has qualified from each group and the prospects for each team still hoping to qualify below:

WHAT ABOUT THE BULLS’ CHAMPIONS CUP PROSPECTS?

The Bulls have 10 points from two wins – at home against Saracens and away to Bristol Bears and need just one more point to qualify when they take on Bordeaux-Begles this weekend at Loftus Versfeld.  The big question is: Which Bordeaux team will pitch up? French teams have been known to send second string teams for away games or will they want the points for a top finish at the end of the pool stages?  Either way it should be a cracker and the Bulls haven’t been beaten at home by European opposition yet.  Bristol and Saracens have tough games against Connacht (away) and Lyon (home) and one will qualify, but it is tough to see both English teams qualify.

Pool 2 – teams qualified for Round of 16 in Champions Cup: Stade Toulousain, Bath Rugby and Harlequins

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WHAT ARE THE STORMERS’ CHANCES OF QUALIFICATION?

This is truly the pool of death and by no means near knowing which four sides will go through. While Leinster have booked their spot, the Stormers and Leicester Tigers are second on nine points. La Rochelle were incredible in their win over Leicester this past weekend and are on seven with Sale Sharks on five. Only Stade Francais are out of contention with one point. Given the Parisians are out, that may be good news for the Stormers, who haven’t won away from home for some time now in any competition.  Leicester host Leinster in an intriguing battle at Welford Road on Saturday followed by the Stormers quest against Stade Francais in Paris. On Sunday Sale Sharks have a mammoth task against La Rochelle, with the winner there set to qualify and the loser set to drop down to EPCR Challenge Cup. 

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FIXTURES

Friday

Glasgow Warriors vs Toulon (Pool 3, 22.00)

Connacht vs Bristol Bears (Pool 1, 22.00)

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Saturday

Harlequins vs Ulster (Pool 2, 15.00)

Vodacom Bulls vs Bordeaux-Begles (Pool 1, 15.00)

Leicester Tigers vs Leinster (Pool 4, 17.15)

Racing 92 vs Cardiff (Pool 2, 17.15)

Munster vs Northampton Saints (Pool 3, 19.30)

Stade Francais vs DHL Stormers (Pool 4, 19.30)

Saracens vs Lyon (Pool 1, 22.00)

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Sunday

Sale Sharks vs La Rochelle (Pool 3, 15.00)

Toulouse vs Bath (Pool 2, 17.15)

Bayonne vs Exeter Chiefs (Pool 3, 19.30)