Pool A of the Heineken Cup is still wide open with any of the first six placed teams mathematically still able to end the pool stage in the top 4, and although almost impossible to end at the top of the pool.
Two South African clubs compete in Pool A with the Cell C Sharks who already qualified for the top 8 playoffs while a rampant Vodacom Bulls are still looking for 1 log point this coming Saturday to book their place in the playoffs.
However, 7th placed Gloucester can only end on 10 log points they have to overcome a 54 points-scored deficit against Union Bordeaux-Bègles Bordeaux next weekend to possibly push the Vodacom Bulls out of the Top 8.
Cell C Sharks booked their place in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 with a commanding 32-3 victory over Union Bordeaux-Bègles Bordeaux in Durban on Saturday. The South African side’s Jaden Hendrikse and Marnus Potgieter both crossed for try braces, with Gerbrandt Grobler also going over as they secured their progress from Pool A with a game to spare.
A desperate Vodacom Bulls recorded their second win in the Heineken Champions Cup as they powered to a 39-28 victory over 14-man Exeter Chiefs in Pretoria on Saturday. The Vodacom Bulls are currently placed 6th on 10 log points while the Exeter Chiefs dropped to 4th place on 11 log points. The Vodacom Bulls still need 1 log point in their match against Lyon on Friday at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon to confirm a place in the Top 8.
Other Results in Pool A
Leinster Rugby produced a clinical display in the Heineken Champions Cup with a 49-14 win over Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday. The Irish province notched seven tries in the contest, Jordan Lamour, Michael Ala’Alatoa, Jamie Osborne, Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier and Rónan Kelleher all crossing the whitewash for the four-time champions as they booked their place in the Round of 16.
Saracens qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 as Elliot Daly’s stunning seven-minute hat-trick helped them thrash Lyon 48-28 at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday – their third successive Pool A victory.
Edinburgh Rugby battled to a brilliant 34-21 bonus-point win over Heineken Champions Cup Pool A rivals Castres Olympique at the Pierre Fabre Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the Round of 16. Having been trailing 21-14 at the break after a fast-paced first half, Edinburgh emerged winners after proving themselves the fitter and more disciplined side over the course of the full 80 minutes.
Harlequins recovered from 18 points down to lead Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday, but a last-gasp Nolann Le Garrec penalty snatched a 30-29 victory for the TOP 14 side in Paris. A penalty try completed Quins’ remarkable turnaround with five minutes to go, with prior scores from Cadan Murley (2) and Danny Care helping them on their way.
