Munster vs Toulouse
This has got to be the blockbuster fixture of this round unfortunately it has come so early in the tournament because this is as worthy a match for a final. Munster will be smarting from their loss to Leinster in the Pro14 final while Toulouse suffered a shock home defeat to Montpellier. Toulouse certainly have the edge in the backline and can boast at having the best backline in Europe with stars like Anton Dupont and Cheslin Kolbe but the hard graft starts upfront. Munster may not have the flashy players but they are hard as nails upfront and this match will be no different. When the match is this tight and squads so evenly matched the result will be decided by the forward packs. Munster has Irish stars CJ Stander, Tadhg Beirne and Peter O’Mahony in their back row while Toulouse has the likes of All Black Jerome Kaino and Francois Cros so this promises to be a titanic battle. Munster’s key to victory will be for their forwards to dominate and not allow Toulouse the quick ball to their potent backline. I think the loss to Leinster will help Munster to try and develop better attacking options as they only scored two penalties in that match.
TIP: I know it will take a brave man to bet against the French giants considering their world class team and their rich European history but Munster at their fortress Thomond Park I believe anything is possible. Conor Murray will have to be at his best to mark Dupont as he is deadly dangerous around the rucks. I see this match being decided by less than 5 points either way but the magic of Thomond Park will see Munster over the line. The bookies don’t agree with me but I love the underdog and there is good value for money on a Munster win. These are the best odds on an upset win: Playabets 2.35, Supabets 2.33 and Worldsportsbetting at 2.30
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Munster vs Toulouse
- Munster have beaten Toulouse in their previous two meetings
- Both these matches were at Thomond Park.
Latest results for both teams
Munster lost their last match against Leinster 16-6 while Toulouse were beaten by Montpellier 16-29.
PREDICTION
You know there will be a lot of emotion in this match and both these teams has had European success before and their diehard fans will expect nothing but victory. The aura of Thomond Park albeit an empty one will be worth a few points on its own. I expect Conor Murray and Joey Carbery to bombard Toulouse with high balls but if their kick chase is not on the money Cheslin Kolbe and the like will make them pay. This winning margin will be less than 5 points and I’m going for Munster win by 3 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Munster
15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Peter O’Mahony (c), 6 Gavin Coombes, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 James Cronin
Toulouse
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Selevasio Tolofua, 7 Francois Cros, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Odds for this bet
This match will be decided by the forwards and I think Munster has the edge in this department and these are the best odds on a Munster victory:
Playabets 2.35
Supabets 2.33
Worldsportsbetting 2.30
Odds comparison on a Munster win
Playabets 2.35
Supabets 2.33
Worldsportsbetting 2.30
Sunbet 2.23
Predictions and Odds in details
Toulouse for a long time have been known as the sleeping giants of European rugby but they have awoken in the last few years thanks to the emergence of young starts like Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos but this Munster team are battle hardened and have experience that will see them through this tough encounter. Munster stalwart CJ Stander is in his last season and he and his teammates will want nothing more than European glory. This match promises to be close and the odds on Munster handicap of + 2.5 could be a banker and is available at Sunbet at 1.93.Worldsportsbetting and Supabets have them at 1.90 on this handicap.
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
