Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Investec Champions Cup match.
Toulon have been the more consistent side this season, both in the Top 14 and during the Champions Cup group stage. On Saturday, Saracens will head to Stade Mayol looking to challenge that narrative.
Toulon
It is difficult to argue otherwise. One of the wealthiest clubs in European rugby, Toulon currently sit third in the Top 14, just seven points behind the league leaders after 20 rounds. In the Champions Cup, they topped a balanced group, dropping points only in a 7:33 defeat to Sale Sharks, which came after they had already secured qualification for the knockouts — and importantly, that loss came on the road. The formula is simple for the squad: across their last 10 matches, they have suffered four defeats, all of which have come away from home. At home, Toulon are in imperious form, having won 13 straight matches. Their last loss at Stade Mayol came in the play-in round of last season’s French Championship.
Saracens
Things are far less straightforward for Saracens. In their most recent Premiership fixture, they secured a 22:29 away victory over Leicester Tigers, a team firmly placed in the top four. That win, however, followed a 12:23 home defeat in the derby against Harlequins. Currently, they are part of a congested race for Premiership play-off positions, but sit only sixth in the standings. In the Champions Cup, the squad reached the knockout stages, albeit in fourth place, with the group led by Northampton Saints — who, notably, are only eighth in the Premiership standings.
Toulon vs Saracens Prediction
These sides have previously met in European competition, including in the semi-finals of the second-tier Challenge Cup, when Toulon also emerged victorious at home, 25:16. Given their formidable home record, backing them for another convincing win seems a solid call.
