Leinster vs Stade Toulousain Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions Cup

Prediction published on 27/04/2023, 13:50  by Devesh Jaganath in Champions Cup Prediction

Two of the most successful sides in the history of the Champions Cup will square off this weekend when Leinster hosts Stade Toulousain in the first semi-final on Saturday. The hosts were formidable in Pool A, finishing as the only unbeaten side and in first place. Leinster came through the first knockout round with little difficulty, overcoming Ulster 30-15, and then went on to put on an even better performance against Leicester in the quarter-final, overpowering their opponents 55-24. For a large part, that quarter-final was closer than the final score may suggest, as the home side only stepped on the gas in the last quarter with Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O’Brien leading the charge. Leinster ended up scoring a massive seven tries in the end. While their performances have been solid in this tournament, their immediate concern will be around potential absentees, with Ryan Baird and James Lowe seeming likely to miss out through injury. Leinster won the last meeting between these sides last year in convincing fashion and will be expecting to make their home-field advantage count with another win in this one. 

Meanwhile, Toulouse also finished unbeaten in Pool B but only picked up one bonus point, which saw them finish in second place behind La Rochelle. Toulouse took on the Bulls in the first knockout round and made light work of the South African franchise, beating them 33-9 at the start of the month. In the quarter-final, Toulouse came up against another South African opposition, The Sharks, and arguably looked even better than in the previous match, overcoming them 54-20 at the final whistle. Toulouse also scored seven tries in response to the Shark's two, as the French side’s relentless pace was too much for their opponents moving into the final quarter. They now come up against the mighty Irish giant in what is being dubbed a preliminary run for the World Cup and will need to be at their absolute best to come away from Dublin with a win.