After taking a big scalp in their opening European Champions Cup pool match the Bulls head to France to take on Lyon on Saturday
Lyon v Bulls, Saturday 16th December, Lyon, KO 19:30 (South African time)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Sco)
Assistant Referees: Jonny Perriam (Sco) , Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Weather Forecast – Lyon
Lyon:
Lyon were involved in a thrilling match away to Bristol Bears in the opening round. They looked out of it at 29-10 down at half time but fought back to take a 34-33 lead with time running out only for the Bears snatched victory with a drop goals after the siren. Lyon scored 6 tries to the Bears 5 but only 2 of those 6 were converted.
In the French Top 14 Lyon are in twelfth position with a record of 3 wins and 6 defeats.
In this competition last season Lyon lost 3 and won 1 of their pool matches and failed to make the knockout rounds. They played the Bulls twice, losing 42-36 at Loftus but winning the return 31-7 on home turf. They finished ninth in their pool and parachuted into the Challenge Cup where they beat Stade Francais in the
Round of 16 before bowing out to Toulon in the quarter finals.
After this Lyon host Connacht and they finish up away to Saracens
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup Lyon are 96/1 outsiders with BoyleSports
Bulls:
The Bulls took the scalp of Saracens in their opening match. They were 4.5 point favourites on the handicap and came out on top 27-16. The Bulls led 20-6 at half time and held a numerical advantage for the bulk of the second half. Their 3 tries came from Kriel, Swanepoel and Moodie, all converted by Goosen who also landed 2 penalties.
The Bulls are faring best of the South African sides in the current United Rugby Championship season with 5 wins (alongside 2 defeats) from their first 7 matches and they are third in the standings, 4 points off the pace being set by Leinster.
In the Champions Cup last season the Bulls won 2 and lost 2 of their pool matches before bowing out to Toulouse in the Round of 16.
After this the Bulls will visit Bristol Bears and they finish the pool stage at home to Bordeaux.
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup the Bulls are 15/1 shots with BoyleSports
Team News
Lyon: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Ethan Dumortier, 13 Alfred Parisien, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Pierre-Samuel Pacheco, 6 Marvin Okuya, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Killian Geraci, 3 Feao Fotuaika, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Sébastien Taofifenua
Replacements: 16 Yanis Charcosset, 17 Jérôme Rey, 18 Valentin Simutoga, 19 Félix Lambey, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Thibaut Regard
Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Henry Immelman, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Marcell Coetzee (c), 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima
Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 JF van Heerden, 20 Merwe Olivier, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sebastian de Klerk
The Betting
Lyon -7.5 points at 9/10
Bulls +7.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Lyon fought back well at Bristol last week and will be targeting victory in their first home game whilst the Bulls will be missing a number of first choice players who played their part in an excellent win over Saracens at Loftus.
The handicap looks well set but I'm leaning towards the Bulls to take at least a losing bonus point from the game so the plus gets the vote
Bet: Bulls +7.5 points at 19/20 with WSB
More bets from our rugby punters are available on our discussion forum.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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