Heineken Cup Quarter Finals

Cardiff Blues vs Toulouse, Saturday 3.30pm

Who would have put Cardiff in such a match up when this tournament started last year? Probably very few and yet before Xmas they were one of the most dominant sides in the competition. They have power, pace out wide and a real Welsh steel about them. Toulouse, the old aristocrats of European rugby, have stuttered their way through most of the season however.

On the other hand they did handsomely defeat Brive in the TOP 14 last weekend and have the memory of trouncing Cardiff in the quarter-finals last year by over 20 points. They can be electric but also frustrating.

This game is at the Millenium Stadium and I reckon rather than picking a winner it could be a match where width and attacking rugby is to the fore. For that I am concentrating on points and am a backer above 44 points.

There was no luck here for us as the game was a low-scoring affair, Cardiff progressing after a 9-6 win.

Leicester Tigers vs Bath

This follows straight on from the previous match and I have a simple belief in this match that the Tigers will prove too strong for a Bath side that looked completely out of sorts last weekend against Quins. They tried, huffed and puffed but were lacking energy, skill and dynamism. The Tigers in contrast attacked Sale superbly although their defense was like a sieve. They did win though.

Back Tigers @ 4/7 with Sportingbet.com

Our first good result of the weekend as Tigers won 20-15 to advance.

Munster vs Ospreys, Sunday

Can the Welsh squeeze Munster at Thomond Park? Yes they can but it will take a Herculean effort. There are no injury worries at the moment and so home field advantage and a pack that can kill a game lends me to backing Munster.

Back Munster @ 1/3

For the more adventurous a small punt on them with a seven point handicap at 10/11 is worth a go.

A demolition job for Munster as they stormed into the semis with a 43-9 rout. That also meant our secondary bet on Munster with a seven point handicap came in also.

Harlequins vs Leinster

What a romantic story Quins have been and they are on form and ready for a tear up. Should we back them? With this match I am keen to trade each side as they go odds on as I reckon this could swing like a barn door in the wind. Simple tactics as I, and the bookies, have no firm opinion. Be nimble with those fingers and be prepared to take profits and then get back in again.