The State of the Pools as the European Champions Cup Returns

The northern hemisphere's major domestic competitions take a two-week break as the European competitions returns. James Harrington takes a look at the state of the pools going into the penultimate round of the Champions Cup.

POOL 1

Munster (16pts) | Glasgow Warriors (13) | Leicester Tigers (8) | Racing 92 (0)

What has happened to Racing 92? A squad like that should ease into the knockout phase of the Champions Cup, even in a tough pool like this. And yet, here at the business end of the pool phase, the Top 14 champions and last season's losing Champions Cup finalists are bottom of the pool one pile, have no points and not even pride left to play for. Their lack of interest in the tournament was clear from the moment their side to play last weekend's rearranged game against Munster was announced. The battle for top spot is between Munster, who continue to pay the perfect tribute to former coach Anthony Foley, and Glasgow Warriors. The top two meet at Scotstoun this weekend in what looks a lot like a must-watch encounter - and do not be too surprised to see both sides in the last eight; while Racing have one last chance to avoid total ignominy as they welcome Leicester to Stade Yves du Manoir before they head to southwest Ireland for the final round.

POOL 2

Wasps (13pts) | Toulouse (13) | Connacht (13) | Zebre (0)

This is the pool for those who love nothing more than lengthy arguments over permutations. Three sides are level on points - and two of them have to play Zebre. Connacht entertain the whipping boys from Italy this week; while Wasps face them Parma next weekend. Given the likelihood of five points for the Irish and English side in those games, the outcome of this pool rests on the results of their remaining games - both against the other side on 13 points in pool two: four-time European champions Toulouse. Wasps, arguably, have the easiest route to a quarter-final berth. This weekend, they entertain the Top 14 side in what should be the Ricoh Arena's second blood-and-thunder encounter in a week, while Connacht have what could well be an all-to-play-for trip to Stade Ernest Wallon for the final round of the pool phase. It's likely that two teams from this pool will qualify for the knockout phase - by the narrowest of margins

POOL 3

Saracens (18pts) | Toulon (10) | Scarlets (8) | Sale Sharks (0)

Reports circulating in the French rugby media suggest the future of at least some of Toulon's current coaching staff rests on whether the three-time champions reach the last eight - which may go some way to explaining the appointment of ex-Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill as consultant forwards coach until the end of the season. If Cockerill saw how easily Clermont demolished his new charges in Sunday's Top 14 clash, he will be painfully aware of the work ahead. He was due to start his new job this week, which means he will have only one match - this weekend's visit of Scarlets - before Toulon head to the UK to face pool-toppers and defending champions Saracens - the side that ended his tenure at Leicester. Realistically, the French side need two big wins - including at least one attacking bonus point - to be certain of a place in the last eight. That is the toughest of asks, as even an injury-ravaged Saracens - hot favourites for a home match in the quarters - are almost impossible to beat at home.

POOL 4

Leinster (16pts) | Montpellier (11) | Castres Olympique (9) | Northampton Saints (4)

Leinster have this pool in the bag - and will have a place in the knockout phase sewn up if they beat Montpellier at the RDS this weekend. A win over Castres the following weekend would ensure a home quarter-final. The immediate problem for the Irish side is that beating Montpellier is easier said than done. The direct, relentless Héraultais don't stop coming forward - and trying to front up to them is generally not recommended. The trick to beating Jake White's side is to think wide and kick tactically. Fijian wing monsters Nemani Nadolo and Timoci Nagusa are close to unstoppable with the ball in hand, but they turn like tankers that have been holed below the water line. Mathematically, third-place Castres could overtake the top two, but realistically, that is not going to happen. They would need bonus-point wins against Northampton and Leinster, Montpellier to win in Dublin and for Saints to pick up four points on the south coast of France on the final weekend. It's rather more likely that Montpellier will qualify for the last eight.

POOL 5

Clermont Auvergne (17pts) | Bordeaux Begles (9) | Ulster (9) | Exeter Chiefs (6)

Pool five is Clermont's for the taking - they are eight points ahead of Bordeaux and Ulster with two games to play. But nightmare memories of last season's competition, when they threw away a gilt-edged invitation to the quarter-finals by missing out on a losing bonus point in their final game of the pool phase will weigh heavy. They have a tough trip to Bordeaux (architects of their nightmare scenario last season) to navigate this week, followed by the visit of Premiership high-fliers Exeter, whose Champions Cup hopes were killed off during an early season struggle for form. Still, it would take something approaching a miracle for the Top 14 leaders not to reach the knockout phase, given how strong they have been at home all season. Meanwhile, if Ulster win at Sandy Park this weekend, they could be in a shot of reaching the last eight, as they then face poor-travellers Bordeaux at the Kingspan in the final round.