15pm KO) - Live stream Gloucester are bidding to return to winning ways and progress to the knockouts despite two heavy defeats to Leinster. The Cherry and Whites are still in contention after their opening victory over Bordeaux in December, sealed by a Charlie Chapman score on a dramatic evening at Kingsholm.
With Cowan-Dickie still out with an ankle problem, Innard is likely to continue against Castres with Dan Frost also set to feature. The club did suffer a setback this week with the news of the departure of longstanding back-row forward Dave Ewers to Ulster at the end of the season. Castres need a miracle to progress after following up an opening loss to Exeter with back-to-back defeats to Edinburgh, including a 21-34 home loss last Sunday. Stormers vs Clermont Auvergne: BT Sport 5, 5. 30pm (5. 30pm KO) - Live stream Stormers are within touching distance of reaching the knockouts in their first Champions Cup campaign, with the South African side needing just a point to seal qualification. The Cape Town-based club have adapted well to the European competition, beating London Irish twice after an opening loss to Clermont.
They were leading 14-3 at half-time in France in their maiden appearance, before falling to a 24-14 defeat. They are unbeaten at home for more than a year and head coach John Dobson is looking for his team to continue their remarkable record at the DHL Stadium. “We were just trying to stay alive in the competition, but now we are in a position to see if we can influence where we are going to play, ” he said. Visitors Clermont sacked head coach Jono Gibbes after a resounding home defeat to Leicester last week, with former Ireland international Jared Payne stepping in on an interim basis. Former Bordeaux-Begles coach Christophe Urios is reportedly being looked at as a long-term solution, but the three-time Champions Cup runners-up are focussed on the immediate future and sealing a much-needed win on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
Toulouse vs Munster: TV channel, date, and everything else to knowMunster go in search of a famous win when they take on Toulouse in the final round of Champions Cup pool stage fixtures this weekend. They were narrowly beaten in the home fixture but picked up back-to-back wins against Northampton to build momentum in Europe. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW Here are all the key details about the European clash: Heineken Champions Cup Round 3 Pool B, Thomond Park, Limerick 14/1/2023 Munster vs Northampton Saints Munster’s Jack O’Donoghue is congratulated on scoring a try by Craig Casey and Mike Haley. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Where is Toulouse vs Munster on? Munster are on the road and will compete for the win against Toulouse at Stade Toulousain. When is Toulouse vs Munster on? The match takes place on Sunday, January 22.
Trailing 24-0 at half-time, they were inspired after the break with tries from Tommy Freeman and James Ramm reducing the deficit. Fin Smith, a surprise inclusion in Steve Borthwick’s first England squad, was also instrumental, kicking 13 points. They ultimately left themselves too much to do, losing 27-23, but a spirited second-half display will give them confidence ahead of Saturday’s match. La Rochelle, meanwhile, have won three from three and are through to the knockouts. Ronan O’Gara’s side scored a converted try with the final play of the game against Ulster last week in challenging conditions to preserve their perfect start and look a good bet to go far in the competition again.
Ulster vs Sale: BT Sport 2, 7. 45pm (8pm KO) - Live stream The make-or-break encounter between Ulster and Sale concludes Saturday’s action as both sides look to progress to the next round. Ulster are winless from three matches after La Rochelle broke their hearts with a dramatic late try in treacherous conditions in France last week. They can still qualify with a win over Sale if other results go their way because of their three losing bonus points and the stage is set for a huge night at Kingspan.
15pm (5. 30pm KO) - Live stream Already-qualified Exeter host Castres at Sandy Park as the 2020 winners look to seal a home last 16 clash. They are through despite falling to defeat at Bulls last time out, with Jack Innard’s late bonus-point try in Pretoria proving crucial. The Premiership side were handed a boost this week when Henry Slade’s red card for a high tackle against Bulls was overturned by a disciplinary panel. Slade, who was captain last week in Luke Cowan-Dickie’s absence, is free to play immediately in what is also significant news for England and new coach Steve Borthwick before the Six Nations.
They are now focussed on securing top seeding for the last 16 and director of rugby Neil Powell, who will hope to have fly-half Curwin Bosch back for the weekend, insists his side will be gunning for victory. “We go with momentum and a bit of flow into our next game against Harlequins, ” he said. “There is still a lot to play for. We have to get home advantage in the knockout games. ” Northampton Saints vs La Rochelle: BT Sport 3, 12. 30pm (1pm KO) - Live stream A difficult European campaign for Northampton ends with a daunting clash with holders La Rochelle at Franklin’s Gardens.
Leinster vs Racing 92: BT Sport 2, 3pm (3. 15pm KO) - Live stream Leinster have been irrepressible in Europe this season, with three successive bonus-point wins sealing a comfortable passage through to the last 16. The four-time winners booked their spot in the next round by thrashing Gloucester at Kingsholm, weeks after they demolished the Premiership side 57-0 in Dublin. They also earned an impressive away win over Saturday’s opponents Racing in Le Havre as the Irish side look to put the disappointment of defeat in last year’s final behind them. Head coach Leo Cullen has confirmed that Will Connors, Thomas Clarkson, Max Deegan, Joe McCarthy and Luke McGrath are all available for selection after returning from injury.