Clermont vs Ulster Rugby Prediction & Betting Tips - Challenge Cup

Prediction published on 12/04/2024, 06:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 12/04/2024 at 07:31 in Challenge Cup Predictions

Clermont Auvergne is set to host Ulster in the quarter-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon. Despite a late surge from the Toyota Cheetahs, Clermont ultimately prevailed, knocking them out of the Challenge Cup with a 27-22 victory in their last 16 clash at the Stade Marcel Michelin. The French side initiated the game with a swift attack, taking advantage of a lost lineout by the Cheetahs in their own half. With impressive offloads, the ball swiftly moved through the hands, resulting in left-wing Joris Jurand scoring a try. Flyhalf Anthony Belleau successfully converted the try, granting the hosts an early 7-0 lead just two minutes into the match. Following this outcome, Clermont has now secured a three-match winning streak at home and has suffered only one loss in their last six games. Although they were nearly threatened by the Cheetahs in their previous encounter, Clermont recognizes the importance of avoiding a similar situation. Despite losing their last two meetings against Ulster, Clermont is considered the slight favorites by bookmakers.

Meanwhile, the GGL Stadium witnessed an incredibly wild game as Richie Murphy celebrated his first victory as interim head coach of Ulster. His team staged an extraordinary comeback, scoring 33 unanswered points in the second half against a Montpellier side that was reduced to 12 men at one point. Despite trailing by ten points at halftime due to tries from Willemse and Aubin Eymeri, and facing significant pressure in the forward battle, Ulster seemed destined for another early European exit. However, Montpellier's woes worsened with a red card for Paul Willemse and subsequent yellow cards for Florian Verhaeghe, Vano Karkadze, and Masivesi Dakuwaqa. That provided the Irish province with the opportunity to score five second-half tries and secure their progression to the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup. Nevertheless, the final scoreline does not fully depict the tumultuous nature of the game for Ulster, particularly considering their previous streak of four consecutive losses on the road prior to last week's victory.