2020-21 European Rugby Champions Cup – Racing 92 vs Connacht Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Racing 92 vs Connacht taking place? Sunday 13th December, 2020 – 15:15 (UK)
Where is Racing 92 vs Connacht taking place? Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes
Where can I get tickets for Racing 92 vs Connacht? Visit official club websites for ticket information
What television channel is Racing 92 vs Connacht on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport
Where can I stream Racing 92 vs Connacht? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
RACING 92: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Henry Chavancy (c), 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Teddy Iribaren, 8 Fabien Sanconnie, 7 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Georges Henri Colombe, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Eddy Ben Arous
Replacements: 16 Kevin Le Guen, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 Ibrahim Diallo, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Antoine Gibert, 23 Simon Zebo
CONNACHT: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sam Arnold, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Paul Boyle, 7 Jarrad Butler (c), 6 Sean Masterson, 5 Ultan Dillane, 4 Eoghan Masterson, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 David Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Bundee Aki, 23 Tiernan O’Halloran
THE PREDICTION
With a game in-hand on La Rochelle and Toulouse above them in the Top 14 table, Racing 92 could well be the real league-leaders in France right now in what has been a disrupted season so far and they will be a tough test for travelling Connacht. The Irish side recently beat Benetton at home in the Pro14 to stay fourth overall but the gap in quality between themselves and the likes of Leinster and Ulster is likely to correspond with the gap against Racing too. It will be a long and likely thankless trip for Connacht but it could be closer than many are expecting. The home side to cover -15 is tight enough of an option in this one but Racing to win in a match that goes over 40 points is also a reasonable outcome.
