Bordeaux v Toulouse Prediction: Bielle-Biarrey to inspire home rule

An all-French quarter-final will decide the final slot in the European Rugby Champions Cup last four on Sunday afternoon (15:00 BST, Premier Sports 1) as Top14 rivals Bordeaux and Toulouse face off in what looks like a cracking encounter at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. Both of these sides looked imperious in their wins over the Easter weekend, scoring freely, and they could serve up a real blockbuster now.

Below are my Bordeaux v Toulouse predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Team News

Just one change for Bordeaux and it comes in the backline as blindside flanker Pierre Bochaton is promoted from the bench from the side that dismissed Leicester Tiger 64-14 last weekend.

On the Toulouse side Santiago Chocobares, a replacement last week, starts in the centre in the only change by Ugo Mola from the side that thrashed Bristol 59-26.

Bordeaux vs Toulouse Odds

This Top14 showdown is incredibly tough to call. Bordeaux are nominal favourites at 5/6 with home advantage, while Toulouse are 21/20 as the six-time European kings look for revenge having lost to their French rivals in the semi-finals a year ago.

The draw is priced at 16/1.

Bordeaux to win @ 5/6

Arguably the two best club sides in Europe meet here and, certainly, they are the top dogs in France.

They have met in the two most recent Top14 Finals, while Toulouse won the Champions Cup in 2024 and Bordeaux relieved them of the crown in the last-four 12 months before lifting their maiden title.

They met in the Top14 here last month and Bordeaux ran out 44-20 winners, though it is anticipated this will be a much closer affair.

It could also be hugely entertaining. Both sides ran in nine tries as they dismantled Leicester and Bristol in their opening knockout assignments.

Antoine Dupont skippers Toulouse and combines with Roman Ntamack in the half-backs, as their game-management skills come up against Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert.

As many as 11 of the French Six Nations-winning side are starters here, including the explosive Louis Bielle-Biarrey for the home side, while Teddy Thomas is on the wing for Toulouse.

Bordeaux were 17-point victors 11 months ago in the semi-final and their home advantage tilts the balance again.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey first tryscorer @ 13/2

Winger Bielle-Biarrey is fresh off being crowned Player of the Championship award after his starring role in the Six Nations, the second year running he has captured that personal acclaim.

Now 22, he's still on the upgrade, running in four tries in the deciding game against England to set a new benchmark of nine for the number of tries scored in a single Six Nations last season.

He touched down first against Ireland, Italy and England and was on the scoresheet inside 10 minutes against Wales. He could be the man to break the deadlock here.

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