- European competition concludes with pool stage over the weekend
- Leicester played a leisurely game but is aiming to advance to the round of 16.
- Meanwhile, Bristol must win or be eliminated from the competition.
The Investec Champions Cup concludes its pool stages this weekend, with England’s best teams battling it out against Europe’s best for the knockout qualifiers.
Northampton and Leicester have already secured places in the later rounds, while Saracens need just one point to join them.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at five things to look out for in European rugby’s top competition as action heats up over the next few days.
Leicester’s England forward returns
It’s good that the Tigers qualified with a game to spare, traveling to defending European champions and French Galacticos Toulouse in the final match.
Whatever the outcome of a shock win in France, Michael Cheika’s men will secure a home tie in the last 16. This is what every team hopes for.
Michael Cheika’s Leicester side have already qualified for the last 16.
Test forwards Ollie Chessum (pictured) and George Martin are likely to feature.
Leicester’s visit to the Ernest Walloon Stadium will be meaningful not only for Tigers fans but also for England supporters ahead of the Six Nations.
Test forwards Ollie Chessum and George Martin are likely to return from injury for Leicester’s clash with Toulouse ahead of the start of the championship. Both men, who are regulars for England when fit, will be looking to prove their performances to national team manager Steve Borthwick.
Chessum missed England’s disappointing autumn due to a knee injury.
dublin herdinger
On Saturday night, the best team in the Gallagher Premiership takes on the best team in the United Rugby Championship and four-time European champions.
Bath’s visit to the Aviva Stadium to take on Irish giants Leinster is undoubtedly a fixture of the weekend, given the form of both sides this season.
The presence of international artists such as Finn Russell and Jordie Barrett tells you everything about the quality that will be on the show.
Leinster rarely lose in Dublin or elsewhere and are playing some excellent rugby, but any kind of Bath win would put them through.
The meeting of two former South African coaches, Johann van Graan and Jacques Nienaber, is also something that adds an extra dimension to the encounter.
Bath v Leinster will be a weekend fixture featuring the likes of Finn Russell.
Leinster rarely lose in Dublin or anywhere else and are playing excellent rugby.
Bristol wins or loses
Saracens, who host Castres on Sunday, are the team most likely to improve. In Pool 4, Harlequins will have to hope to do the same.
Sales has your back against the wall. Bristol are bottom of Pool 2 but a trip to Clermont looks potentially attractive. Pat Lam’s Bears know they can secure victory if Leinster beat Bath.
Lam is set to name a very strong side, planning to play fluid, attacking rugby that has impressed in the Premier League this season.
Clermont are a huge but forward team and could be shocked if Bristol live up to their potential.
Saracen providing information
The England team has two Premiership form players in flyhalf Fergus Burke and fiery back row Tom Willis.
Burke, who has English qualifications, has been named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad this week where he will compete against Russell. Willis also deserved an England call.
Both players will be keen to continue their recent impressive form.
Saracens have two in-form players on their books, including flyhalf Fergus Burke, who has opted to play for Scotland.
In Europe, there is little chance of a South African team making it to the round of 16.
Can the South African team qualify?
The presence of South African teams in European competitions is controversial.
But despite the country winning the last two World Cups, there is no chance of any team from the rainbow nation making it to the round of 16.
Siya Kolisi and the Sharks need a point from their last game to do so, but that is not a given as they travel to Bordeaux on fire.
The Bulls are unable to play in Pool 3 and the Stormers will likely need maximum points in Paris against Racing 92.
