Visiting teams have won two of 24 last-16 ties, so it is no surprise players needing post-Six Nations rest skip trips
T
he odds on multiple away wins in this weekend’s Champions Cup last 16 are not terribly good. Since the single-leg concept was born three years ago there have been 24 matches, with the hosts losing only two. If that strike rate alters significantly this time it will certainly confound the bookmakers.
Bordeaux Bègles, the defending champions, have even been quoted at 1-100 to beat Leicester on Sunday, a remarkable price for a two-horse race. It might be slightly different if the Tigers were at full strength but, as the bookies are keenly aware, that is very much not the case with, among others, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes and Nicky Smith all non-runners.
There is something seriously awry when a proud club such as Leicester find themselves approaching what should be a pivotal game with a weakened team. Their head coach, Geoff Parling, is required to give his key international forward trio a mandatory post-Six Nations break at some juncture and, accordingly, has chosen to prioritise a top-four domestic finish.
