Heineken Cup - 14th January 2012

Montpellier (8/11) v Bath (11/8)

Neither team can qualify for the latter stages which makes this a dead rubber of sorts.  With home advantage, the French side make marginal appeal to sneak it by 1-12 points, and turnover a 3 point defeat they suffered in England.

Advice: 1 pt Montpellier to win by 1-12 points (13/8 Ladbrokes)

Scarlets (10/11) v Northampton (6/5)

Northampton had their four-and-a-half year unbeaten home European run when ended by Scarlets but huge mistakes contributed to that defeat – it was one of their worst performance of the season – and they look good value to bounce back here following a morale-boosting win over Aviva Premiership table-toppers Harlequins last time.

Advice: 3 pts Northampton (6/5 Sportingbet)

Clermont (1/20) v Aironi (10)

With just three points separating Clermont, Ulster and the Leicester Tigers in Pool 4, it’s business time for Clermont against Aironi tonight and they should get their bonus point win. The main vetting question is whether they’d be able to cover the handicap, and the answer to that may yes if they make a fast start.

Advice: 1 pt Clermont -17 (4/5 Coral)

London Irish (4/3) v Cardiff (5/6)

This should be a very well contested affair – both teams have called up their strongest sides for the game – and points are likely to be on the board all over the place. The last lcash between the two was 24-18, so maybe 39-50 points to be scored is a good bet at 7/4.

Advice: 1 pt Between 39-50 points (7/4 Betfred)

Munster (1/16) v Castres (18)

Munster needed a drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara at the death to edge past Castres in the away leg but should find things much easier here. Castres now have nothing to play for but pride, while Munster coach Tony McGahan has retained the same team that delivered the bonus-point over Treviso win last weekend.

Advice: 4 pts Munster -8.5 on second half h’cap (10/11 Betfred), 1 pt Munster to score 17 or more points in second half (4/5 Hills)

Toulouse (1/66) v Connacht (25)

Toulouse got shocked by Harlequins last time out in Europe but Luke McAlister missed three easy penalties in the first 20 minutes and Vincent Clerc had a try ruled out for a forward pass – not forgetting the fact that Quins have been one of the most impressive teams this season – they’ve lost just two games. It shouldn’t be hard for Toulouse to get back into the swing of things here against a Connaught side yet to get a win in this sphere.

Advice: 2 pts Toulouse -14 on Second half handicap (10/11 Hills)

Harlequins (2/7) v Gloucester (7/2)

Harlequins beat Gloucester by 21 points the last time the two met and should be too good once again here on home soil. The home side to give up 5 points in the second half is easier than 9 overall or nearly 30 points throughought the match, and that might be the best way to go.

Advice: 2 pts Harlequins -5 on second half handicap (10/11 Betfred)