Leinster vs Toulon

This is a clash of European heavyweights with 7 titles between them and promises to be a titanic forwards battle. The Leinster side is packed with Irish national players while Toulon has a sprinkling of international stars with Springbok Eben Etzebeth leading the way. They had vastly different weekends coming into this fixture with Leinster beating Munster and clinching the Pro14 title while Toulon were hammered by Lyon and to add to their misery they had Maa Nonu sent off. Toulon’s rich heritage will count for nothing against Leinster who look like a perfectly drilled machine. Their dominance in the Pro14 was clear for everyone to see losing just twice all season. Toulon will have to punch above their weight just to be competitive in this match. French teams are famous for using their scrum to dominate especially in the Champions Cup but this Irish team has the best scrum in Europe. The way Leinster overcame a Munster team filled with international was quite scary and that was an ominous warning to Toulon.

TIP: I feel Leinster is hot favourites not just for this match but for the overall Championship. Their pack is so dominant and they are expertly marshalled by Johnny Sexton and Jack McGrath. The Leinster team has shown all season that the strength of their bench is a nightmare for teams especially in the last 20 minutes when the opposition start tiring. The bookies have a Leinster win at 1.16 and I think that’s a fair reflection of how strong Leinster are. I am certain that Leinster will overcome the -12.5 handicap. The odds on this bet are being offered at Sunbet 1.92, Supabets 1.90 and Worldsportsbetting has them at 1.90 on (-13.5) handicap.

HEAD TO HEAD STATS

Leinster vs Toulon

  • In their only 4 previous meetings Toulon has won 3 and there has been 1 draw.
  • Leinster have played Toulon once at home and were beaten 16-20.
  • Toulon has never lost to Leinster.

Latest results for both teams

Leinster won their last match against Munster 16-6 while Toulon lost against Lyon 16-54.

PREDICTION

The class of this Leinster team will shine through and although they have never beaten Toulon, this squad of players are arguably the greatest Leinster have ever assembled. The fitness and defence of Leinster sets them apart from other teams and just when teams feel they have weathered the storm the replacements destroy the opposition. The handicap of -12.5 on Leinster should be comfortable overcome. I expect Leinster to win by more than 15 points.

  • Probable Starting XVs

Leinster

15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Rory O’Loughlin, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Luke Mcgrath (C), 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh Van Der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Scott Fardy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Cian Healy

Toulon

15 Gervais Cordin, 14 Frederick Du Plessis, 13 Duncan Paia’aua, 12, Luka Tchelidze11 Rudolffe Wulf, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Anthony Meric, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Julien Ory, 6 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Komiti Junior Alainuuese, 4 Matthias Halagahu, 3 Sebastien Taofifenua, 2 Christopher Eric Tolofua, 1 Florian Fresia

Odds for this bet

Leinster will be dominant and will cover the following handicaps with these odds the best being offered:

                                Worldsportsbetting (-13.5) 1.90

                                Sunbet (-12.5) 1.94

                                Supabets (-11.5) 1.90

Odds comparison on a leinster  victory by more than 13 points

The best odds on the Leinster handicaps are as follows (-12.5) are at Sunbet at 1.94 Worldsportbetting has them at 1.90 on a (-13.5) handicap while Supabets has them at 1.90 on the handicap (-11.5).

Predictions and Odds in details

Leinster will be desperate to reclaim the Champions Cup from Exeter’s trophy cabinet and will want to lay down a marker against 3 times champion Toulon. The Irish outfit has no weaknesses and they have star quality from nos1 -23 and I feel their replacements actually strengthen the team. The handicaps being offered are actually being kind to Toulon as I predict Leinster to run over them. The best odds on the Leinster handicaps are as follows (-12.5) are at Sunbet at 1.94 Worldsportbetting has them at 1.90 on a (-13.5) handicap while Supabets has them at 1.90 on the handicap (-11.5).

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