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Toulouse and Oyonnax will try to put together a good match, as the Rugby Champions Cup second round will mostly be played with the thought of honoring the great Jonah Lomu, whose passing away saddened the Rugby world this week. Toulouse lost its first match to Saracens in Group A, while Oyonnax did not play last week and will make their debut in the competition.
Toulouse’s brilliant start in France, where they are second after 8 rounds (6 wins, 2 losses) did not help them much last week, as they lost 32-7 to the mighty Saracens. However, one can`t really blame Toulouse, as Saracens is looking like the best team in Europe right now after they also had fun with Northampton Saints and Ulster in the last two weeks. The hosts remain a very solid side and one of the teams in with a chance to win the competition, but they absolutely have to win this game – as it will likely come down to being one of the best second placed team for them if they want to qualify.
This will be the first time Oyonnax plays in the Champions Cup but not much is expected from them – as the bookies are deservingly rating them as the second worst team in the competition in front of only Treviso. Oyonnax somehow managed to finish 6th last year in Top 14 where they actually almost defeated today`s opponents, Toulouse – eventually losing 19-20. However, the same kind of results will not happen again for the visitors this season. Oyonnax is sitting on the second to last place in the table in Top14, losing 6 out of 8 matches.
Bet on Toulouse vs. Oyonnax with the highest Rugby Champions Cup odds at 1xBet.
Team news & lineups:
Toulouse will make a number of changes after the loss against Saracens, as they have the depth to allow them to mix it up. Thierry Dusautoir is out. The visitors will not start with regulars Valentin Ursache, Fabrice Metz and Marc Clerc but by choice and not due to injuries / suspensions.
Toulouse: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Maxime Médard, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Timoci Matanavou, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Talalelei Gray, 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Yoann Maestri (c), 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Vasil Kakovin.
Oyonnax: 15 Florian Denos, 14 Silvère Tian, 13 Vincent Martin, 12 Eamonn Sheridan, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Regis Lespinas, 9 Fabien Cibray (c), 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Olivier Missoup, 6 Pierrick Gunther, 5 Leon Power, 4 George Robson, 3 Antoine Guillamon, 2 Jody Jenneker, 1 Laurent Delboulbès.
Toulouse is the much better side here and they have been miles ahead of Oyonnax in every department this season. With one European Champions Cup match already under their belt this season and with that match being the best test possible, against Saracens, they will surely be ready today and will aim to bounce back with a solid win.
I can`t see how Oyonnax could stay competitive today given their current state, but also looking at the matchup. The visitors are at their strongest on the wings and their gameplan is to pass the ball out wide, but Toulouse can do this at a high level as well and is actually better at it than Oyonnax. Regarding the kicking game, the set pieces, carrying game and playing trough the center, this one is a no contest. Toulouse is at least one class above their opponents, they really need to win this and I reckon they should be able to comfortably get the victory at home. They are a team that goes for tries, so the handicap line should be covered even if it`s a bit high.
My tip is Stade Toulousain to win and cover an 18,5 point handicap in the process. The odds are dropping big time on this pick. Prediction: Toulouse – Oyonnax 39 – 14.
Pick: Toulouse -18,5
Odds: 2.00 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7
Event date: 21 November
