Toulouse vs Bath Prediction: Bath have nothing to lose at Stade Ernest-Wallon

There’s a mouth-watering showdown in store at the Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday Jan 21st (15:15) as Toulouse and Bath put their winning records on the line in their final game of the European Champions Cup pool stage.

Both sides have already secured their place in the Round of 16 and both sit on 15 points at the top of Pool 1 going into the weekend.
Despite qualification assured, Toulouse and Bath have decided to go with strong sides for Sunday’s encounter, which could make for potentially the game of the weekend.

Match Odds

Toulouse are the heavy favourites to win at Stade Ernest-Wallon at 1/14 in the match winner market.

Bath are available at 15/2 to pull off a historic win at the home of the five-time European giants, while a tie on Sunday is available at 25/1.

Team News

Toulouse have gone with Cyril Baille, Pesto Mauvaka and Dorian Aldegheri in the front-row, with locks Emmanuel Meafou and Richie Arnold in the engine room.

Former Wasps star Jack Willis, Francois Cros and Anthony Jelonch make up the back-row, with Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos in the half-backs.

Pita Ahki and Dimitri Delibes make up the centres, with Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn joined by wingers Juan Cruz Mallia and Matthis Lebel in the back three.

As for Bath, boss Johann van Graan has made five changes from the side that earned a 29-25 win over Racing 92 last time out.

Niall Annett comes in at hooker, alongside props Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit at the coalface.

Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels partner in the second-row, with Josh Bayliss at blindside, Chris Cloete at openside and Miles Reid starting at number eight.

Ben Spencer, fresh from his selection for England’s Six Nations squad, starts alongside fly-half Finn Russell.

Russell’s Scotland team-mate Cameron Redpath has dropped to the bench, meaning it’s a centre partnership of Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh at 12 and 13 respectively.

Matt Gallagher starts at full-back, with wingers Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga completing the back three.

Bath +15.5 handicap @ 21/20

Going to the Stade Ernest-Wallon in a Champions Cup game is one of the toughest tests for any visiting side but it’s a challenge Bath can take on with the freedom of knowing they are already through to the Round of 16.

Of course, trying to secure a home tie for the next round will be important for the visitors and a single point will secure that for Van Graan’s side.

Scoring four tries or landing a losing bonus point will do the trick and with in-form Russell pulling the strings, anything is possible.

Beating the stars of Racing 92 last weekend at The Rec will give Bath the confidence they can go to Toulouse and cause the hosts problems.

A +15.5 handicap looks to be on the generous side for Bath and, at 21/20, that looks to be where the value lies for what should be a thrilling contest in the south of France.

Rugby Union betting tips, from Betfred Insights.