The Bulls host Stade Francais in the European Champions Cup at Loftus on Saturday and whilst it not quite a dead rubber for the Bulls the visitors are the only one of these sides in with a chance of staying in this competition.
Bulls v Stade Francais, Saturday 18th January, Pretoria, KO 15:00 (South African time)
Referee: Adam Leal (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (Eng), Hamish Grant (Eng)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (Eng)
Weather Forecast – Pretoria
Bulls:
The Bulls are bottom of the log after 3 straight defeats, they have failed to earn a log point and are the only side in this pool out of contention. The slightest of silver linings is that a landslide bonus point win (57 points plus) and denying Stade Francais anything would see the Bulls finish fifth, above their opponents here and they would then parachute into the Challenge Cup play offs. Read more on the qualification permutations here.
The final nail in the coffin of their Champions Cup campaign came away to Castres last weekend when they crashed and burned 49-10. Earlier results include a 27-5 defeat away to Saracens in the opening round and their only home game so far saw them go down 30-21 to Northampton Saints.
It will soon be back to URC business for the Bulls who are in fourth place in the standings of that competition with a record of 5 wins and 2 defeats and although log leaders Leinster are well clear the Bulls have 2 games in hand on the top 3 sides.
Stade Francais:
Stade Francais come into the final round of matches with 1 win and 2 defeats against their name, a tally of 5 log points sees them in fifth spot, 4 points behind fourth placed Castres who occupy the last of the play off berths and 5 shy of Saracens and Munster. Northampton Saints have 11 points and are assured of qualification.
To qualify they will first need a big enough win to move above Castres who they will then need to fail to pick up anything from their game against Saracens on Sunday. Failing that they need to do enough to stay above the Bulls and go into the Challenge Cup.
They stayed in the hunt with a 45-35 home win over Northampton Saints last weekend and earlier results include a 33-7 defeat away to Munster and a 28-17 loss at home to Saracens.
Stade Francais are currently second from bottom in the Top 14 standings with a record of 5 wins and 9 defeats.
Team News
Bulls: tbc
Stade Francais: tbc
The Betting
Average early show, to be updated
Bulls to follow
Stade Francais to follow
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
to follow
Bet: To follow
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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