Saracens v Clermont, Vicarage Road (8.0)

CLERMONT AUVERGNE could in theory finish level with Leinster, but the Irish province is guaranteed to top the pool because they…

CLERMONT AUVERGNE could in theory finish level with Leinster, but the Irish province is guaranteed to top the pool because they have a better record in the head-to-head clashe.

If the French side were to gain a bonus-point victory they could still qualify for the knock-out stages of the cup, but it would take an unlikely sequence of events in Pools Three and Four.

Given the fact Clermont haven’t travelled with anything like their strongest team, it is a highly unlikely scenario.

Saracens will be playing for pride, and that will probably be enough to see them win this one.

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SARACENS:C Wyles; D Strettle, B Barritt, N Mordt, N Cato; O Farrell, N de Kock; R Gill, S Brits, C Nieto; H Smith, M Botha; K Brown, J Melck, E Joubert (capt). Replacements: J George, J Saunders , P Du Plessis, J Burger, A Saull, R Wigglesworth, L Baldwin, J Short.

ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE: A Floch; B Russell, M Joubert, W Fofana, K Murimurivalu; T Lavea, K Senio; L Faure, W Wepener, V Debaty; L Jacquet, J White; J Bardy, A Audebert, E Vermeulen (capt). Replacements: T Paulo, T Domingo, C Ric, T Privat, A Lapandry, L Radoslavjevic , A Rougerie, J Buttin.

Referee:Alan Lewis (Ireland).

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer