Saracens v Northampton and other Champions Cup fixtures to look forward to this weekend

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  • With a round of fixtures to go, the Champions Cup is all to play for with only Leinster guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.

    Here, we take a look at the three key fixtures to look forward to.

    Which game are you looking forward to the most?

    Let us know on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

    SARACENS VS NORTHAMPTON 

    With Saracens needing a bonus point victory to a secure a place in the quarter-finals, this is set up to be the most anticipated clash of the weekend.

    Mark McCall’s side endured a period of poor form earlier this season – with seven straight defeats – and currently languish in third spot in the group.

    Clermont and Ospreys occupy the top two positions, but a Saracens bonus point – depending on the permutations – could be enough to leapfrog the loser of that tie and guide them into the last eight.

    The loss of Billy Vunipola is undoubtedly a significant blow to the home side, but the return of Maro Itoje has injected some leadership and attrition to the pack.

    While many will expect a facile Sarries win, bottom of the group Northampton look a revitalised team since Alan Gaffney took charge as interim coach last month.

    Although they shipped 50 points against Harlequins at the end of December, Dylan Hartley’s side have cruised to two impressive wins over Gloucester and Clermont in recent weeks.

    Confidence is growing again for the Saints – and expect them to be within a score of Saracens.

    VERDICT: SARACENS

    WASPS VS ULSTER

    Another winner takes all game.

    Wasps have looked a shadow of the team that sparkled in England and Europe last season – with the loss of some marquee names due to injury.

    Charles Piutau shone when Ulster beat Wasps in October – and Les Kiss will be looking for his ace winger to replicate his instrumental form as they bid to reach the last eight for the first time in four years.

    A bonus point win would seal Ulster top spot in the group, while a win would be enough to hold one of the best three runner-up slots.

    Wasps will be without England flanker James Haskell, who received a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Jamie Roberts last week.

    Meanwhile, Ulster will be without the elusive Craig Gilroy who suffered a fractured cheek bone and will be out for up to six weeks.

    Wasps will fight tooth and nail to punish Ulster, but expect Rory Best’s side to win by five points.

    VERDICT: ULSTER

    Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs - European Rugby Champions Cup

    SCARLETS VS TOULON

    The Welsh side produced the performance of the season against Bath last weekend, with some crisp off-loading and solid defence.

    A win over Toulon on Saturday will see them leapfrog their opponents at the top of the pool, but defeat could see the Welsh region finish third – if Bath seal a bonus point win over Treviso.

    In Tadhg Beirne, Ospreys boast one of the players of the tournament so far – the Irishman has made the most turnovers and has the joint best tackle rate.

    If Leigh Halfpenny is fit to face his old employers then this is set up to be a thriller.

    Toulon will be without their barrelling centre Mathieu Bastareaud who received a four week ban for a homophobic slur towards a fellow player last week.

    Scarlets will need to get their hands on the ball and force an early breakthrough if they are to beat the French giants.

    Stephen Jones’ side are more than capable of pulling off an upset – and a chance to book their place in the knock-out stages of the competition.

    VERDICT: TOULON

    RUGBYU-EUR-CUP-SCARLETS-TOULON

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