Rugby: Champions Cup & Challenge Cup week 3 10-12 January
- Brent Graham
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The Champions and Challenge Cup Round 3 fixtures take place from the 10th to the 12th of January.
More to follow tomorrow but from an SA perspective the Stormers with 2 losses so far host the Sale Sharks and the Sharks with a win and a loss are at home to tournament favourites Toulouse
The Bulls with 2 losses are away to Castres
In the Challenge Cup the Lions are away to Montpellier and the Cheetahs are at home to Zebre - home being Amsterdam!
The Handicap will be back this week although time to be confirmed as may delay for team news and the Betting Newsletter will also get going for 2025 - click here to get on the mailing list
Looking forward to your thoughts
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- Brent Graham
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Over and above the forum I have decided to do a Rugby Championship blog and will share early thoughts as well as what to look out for It is up and running
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- Sharkster
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I think if Toulouse send a full strength team to Durban the -9 could be value.
Any early bets/opinions?
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- Brent Graham
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Castres win at 0.93/1 at Betx - Sharkster I would be surprised if Bulls go full strength here and Castres very much in top 4 mix
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- Connachtrugby0
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1. Protect the scrum half - trying to give the scrum half more space to pass the ball away from rucks - could lead to more scoring chances?
2. Crooked throws - won't be called if the defending team does not compete in lineout. I like this change. Removes stoppages that are unnecessary
3. Speed up scrums and lineouts - referee been asked to enforce a 30 second set up time for scrums and lineouts. Badly needed - especially for scrums
4. Quicker conversions - 60 seconds will now be allowed and not the 90 as of before.
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- Connachtrugby0
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1. Protect the scrum half - trying to give the scrum half more space to pass the ball away from rucks - could lead to more scoring chances?
2. Crooked throws - won't be called if the defending team does not compete in lineout. I like this change. Removes stoppages that are unnecessary
3. Speed up scrums and lineouts - referee been asked to enforce a 30 second set up time for scrums and lineouts. Badly needed - especially for scrums
4. Quicker conversions - 60 seconds will now be allowed and not the 90 as of before.
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- Brent Graham
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Interested in 1 - does it specify how 9's will be protected?
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- Gareth75
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Sharkster wrote: Has anyone seen any clues that might help with how teams are going to treat this weekend? With Castres v Bulls I would favour Castres but not sure if Bulls will treat this game as high importance. I think either last year or the year before they sent a weak team abroad in the champions cup.
I think if Toulouse send a full strength team to Durban the -9 could be value.
Any early bets/opinions?
Yes Agree. I was able to have a quick scan whilst at work this morning not long after B365 released the hcaps & it was the Toulouse hcap that stood out to me. Managed to get couple of bets on at -8 (1.9). If as expected Toulouse pick full strength team for Saturday and especially if Dupont is included , my guess the hcap will push out a few points ? to maybe -12,-13 ?.
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- Connachtrugby0
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Brent Graham wrote: Have seen laws 2 and 4 trialled and love them
Interested in 1 - does it specify how 9's will be protected?
the42.ie/6586397
More on the laws in that article
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- Sharkster
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Gareth75 wrote:
Sharkster wrote: Has anyone seen any clues that might help with how teams are going to treat this weekend? With Castres v Bulls I would favour Castres but not sure if Bulls will treat this game as high importance. I think either last year or the year before they sent a weak team abroad in the champions cup.
I think if Toulouse send a full strength team to Durban the -9 could be value.
Any early bets/opinions?
Yes Agree. I was able to have a quick scan whilst at work this morning not long after B365 released the hcaps & it was the Toulouse hcap that stood out to me. Managed to get couple of bets on at -8 (1.9). If as expected Toulouse pick full strength team for Saturday and especially if Dupont is included , my guess the hcap will push out a few points ? to maybe -12,-13 ?.
I took -9 in on this. It's a bit of a risk for me, I'm not fully sure how toulouse will approach it but they rested players the last couple of weeks so I don't see why they wouldn't go full strength this weekend
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- Brent Graham
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Big move on tomorrow nights game after Racing name a week team and Glasgow -22
5 out a full score
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- Sharkster
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Looks like bulls have left their biggest players in SA
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- Sharkster
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The challenge cup is probably full of opertuinity and pitfalls. The lines coming out late is a sign that bookies are probably unsure.
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- Pablo
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Also Glasgow o37.5 but not available in my bookies
Racing big guns not in the compo (Gogichasvili, Kolingar, Laclayat, Tarrit, Rowlands, Sanconnie, Joseph, Woki, Le Garrec, Tuisova, Fickou) while Glasgow going full strength. Even with the cold weather I expect a big home win.
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- Jameson
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- Brent Graham
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Glasgow over 37.5 at 9/10 - move quick if you want to join I see this starting at 40
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- Pablo
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Bad weather in Agen, expected line around 37 points. Big Provence pack so expect a tight contest.
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- southpaw
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Don't see why Stormers are 8pts favourite and i'm going for the away win as the value play.
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- Brent Graham
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For me Sale have more to play for and best win price I could get was 31/10
Stormers v Sale Preview
Toulouse are -14.5 and even -16.5 away to the Sharks after team selections
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Sharkster wrote: Went with Scarlets plus 12. They have a good record against the cap away from home this year. They've proved to be competitive underdogs, I hope they say in the fight.
Only could watch the first bit of this game. Scarlets were going no where in attack. Gloucester more aggressive.
Costello off too. Will write this one off
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- Jameson
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Sharkster wrote:
Sharkster wrote: Went with Scarlets plus 12. They have a good record against the cap away from home this year. They've proved to be competitive underdogs, I hope they say in the fight.
Only could watch the first bit of this game. Scarlets were going no where in attack. Gloucester more aggressive.
Costello off too. Will write this one off
I was on Scarlets +15.5 and that bet could have won near the end. I dont see how that was not a knock on by Gloucester before scoring their 5th try.
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- southpaw
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Sharks over 15.5 pts @ 5/6
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- Sharkster
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southpaw wrote: I know Toulouse side should completely wipe out the Sharks tomorrow, but come on Sharks points line 15? That is too good to turn down. It’s a runner whole 80min in my view, no matter how game pans out.
Sharks over 15.5 pts @ 5/6
I have little to back this up and have no huge opinion but if I was on an underdg against toulouse I nearly rather they score 4 tries in the first half and a couple of consellation scores by the sharks. I have haven't anything to hand but in my mind once the opposition is beaten they can leak a couple of scores.
That said who cares how they get to 16 for you
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- hanrick
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Let the battle begin www.twitter.com/hanrickswart
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- Pablo
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Ospreys going strong, Newcastle second strong. Line should be in the mid 40's. Humid but weather ok.
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- coil
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Starting off with a medium strike Sale on the plus 7.5 .
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- southpaw
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Will stick to points overs in future.
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Sharkster wrote: Have a feeling the toulouse bet will unravel
Thankfully not. I always feel worse when you get the value and the bet comes apart
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Sharkster wrote: Mediumish bet on o52 in paris
Taken same @ 10/11.
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- coil
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I'm going unders in Casres at 47.5 and plus Ulster 15.5
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- Sharkster
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One thing I probably need to capitalise more on is alternative caps and points lines when it seems things could change later in the week. Today was a good day but left some cash behind I would say
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- Sharkster
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I'm considering clermont plus. They've been OK in this comp and are in with a chance. I'm not very familiar with the French club teams but recognise some names, I think this is their main team but raka on the bench.
Bath look strong and at home will want to lay down a marker
Any thoughts on this one Pablo?
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- Pablo
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Clermont going strong and this season they are performing well both in Top14 and CC. If I had to bet I'd go with Clermont +14.5 but my prediction has Bath as 13 points favourites, so little value in Clermont.
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- Brent Graham
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southpaw wrote: Geez that’s a low point in my betting life. Call a team to win only for them to lose 40-0. Embarrassing.
Will stick to points overs in future.
LOL don't worry South you were not alone - I stopped watching just before half time - in the opening quarter they looked likely to win and for them not to score a point, well that is pathetic
Thank goodness the early Castres bet arrived and a small double on the 2 minuses in the finals games but the bookies are still ahead on points going into the final rounds.
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- Jameson
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southpaw wrote: Geez that’s a low point in my betting life. Call a team to win only for them to lose 40-0. Embarrassing.
Will stick to points overs in future.
lol fair play, this one is right up there. Makes even my losses look like winners!
OK overs it is for the Harlequins game then ....................
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