HEC Bets...

Now - things are going to take a little time to settle down and for patterns to emerge - I'm not that confident as I would normally be but I am confident that we'll make a profit over the tournament in the long run.

Calvisano v Stade Francais – Calvisano +26 @ Expect.com

Ok, so it’s a supposed minnow playing one of the best sides in Europe, fair enough. Calvisano are a decent team with a fair sprinkling of Italian internationals but the crux for me here is that the French like to play it canny and I can’t see them sending a full strength team up and along the med as the there are obviously bigger fish to fry in the group and at the top of the French 14. SF will win of course they will but Calivsano will run that cap close I’m sure. SF as thought are sending a weakened team but do have a very strong bench to call on should they need it


Borders v Overmach Parma - Borders+12 @ Paddy Power

Borders, fresh from their surprise win over Leinster last week will be looking to continue their winning ways against the Italian qualifiers. Parma, bless em, are a good honest bunch but to be frank – they ain’t that good and what decent players they had last year have been snatched away from them, Emerich pour example. Expect a dodgy first half and Borders to ponce away with it in the last 20.

Leicester v Munster Tigers -5 @ PaddyPower

Now I don’t care what you say, Munster won’t win this, unless they’ve all been anally probed by Alien visitors and been afforded some kind of strange rugby playing ability since their raping by a very average Edinburgh side. Munster started the season in a shit state and have continued to be utter shit even with all of the "stars" back in the line up…..they bravely hung onto a 1 point lead against the Borders (the flecking borders???) and lost to a bunch of skag taking heid the balls up in Glasgow. Blind faith and optimism won’t be enough for the Munster fans here. On a plus note for Munster – this incoming arse kicking may just kick start their season.


Ospreys V Sale –

To tight to call on the cap.


Ulster v Toulouse - Ulster+4 @ Betfred

Ulster have been on fire at home and have torn asunder all who made the trip to the province. Toulouse on the other hand are struggling a little bit with their form and have serious weaknesses in their front five and their backs seem a little leaderless since the injury to Michelak. I would have preferred this even more if it were not a lunchtime kick off but you can count on 15,000 Ulstermen shouting themselves silly. Ulster could win this outright never mind the generous offer of a 4 point start from Betfred. All the French are being over estimated in my opinion.



Bourgoin v Cardiff – Cardiff +12 @ Bet365.

Bourgoin are a funny old team – last time they were in the HEC they really didn’t bother and just concentrated on the F14, who knows what their target will be this year but I suspect it’s more of the same due to their very small squad. They are a very physical team with a good kicking game but I can’t help but like Cardiff here, the Blues have won away in England recently and will quite fancy their chances to take something from this game, even a losing bonus point which could become vital. Good back line selected for the Blues tonight and if the forwards can compete then it could be a great night for the blues.


Biarritz v Northampton – Biarritz –18 @ Betdirect.

Northampton could get trousered here. Cohen and Thompson are back from injuries which is handy but I’ve seen a first XV Northampton play this season and not only where they kept to a few chances by a much lower rated team they were also outfought and out battled. An unfancied bottom of the league Worcester side also spanked a good Northampton side a few weeks ago. Northampton are also rudderless after losing their captain through injury with Darren Fox stepping into the breach. Biarritz on the other hand will be hurting after last years Final defeat and if they are in the mood could blast Northampton away.


London Irish v Scarlets – Scarlets +6 Bet365

I really hope I’m not letting myself get suckered into supporting the Welsh teams here….but the Scarlets squad, on paper anyway, looks really impressive and they certainly have the players to turn over the Exiles. Peel and Jones are paired together and Regan King is probably the best centre in the country at the moment. Mike Catt does return for the Irish tonight but they only played last Sunday and have been bemoaning the short turn around where the Scarlets have had an extra week off. Form wise the Exiles have been pants with two wins from five whilst if Scarlets win just one of their games in hand they will be top of the vastly superior Magners League.

Leinster v Gloucester –

To tight to call


Agen v Edinburgh – Edinburgh + 10 Paddy Power

Ah, what the heck, I’m going with Edinburgh here, even if they are Chris Pattersonless. The Gunners are one of those teams that really can beat anyone on their day and I’m fancying that Agen are just going to pay this tournament lip service and concentrate on the league. Agen it has to be said are a win at home lose away kind of team but Edinburgh will be bolstered by that really excellent and some would say easy victory away in Limerick against what was meant to be a 1st XV Munster side and could stop Agen playing the same way they did against the Red machine