We’re covering all eleven scheduled games of the European Cup, rugby’s first major tournament of the year. For each match, you’ll see the latest betting odds (as of January 21st, 2022) and our top pick for each game. This year, it’s also known as the Heineken Champions Cup, as it was between 1995 and 2014. If you’d like to watch the matches you bet on, start here for viewing information in your area.
January 21st European Rugby Champions Cup Betting Odds
Castres vs Harlequins
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Castres | +13 ½ -108 | +500 |
| Harlequins | -13 ½ -122 | -800 |
| Draw | +3300 |
The Harlequins are the 2021 season champions, but lost the cup to Toulouse, barely making the semi finals in last year’s Champions cup.
Pace ? power@LynaghLouis ? Filipo Nakosi
Which winger will come out on top tonight as @Harlequins host @CastresRugby? ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/7EMiqoO24e
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 21, 2022
On December 12th, Castress lost the Harlequins by 2. Based on the last game, we’ll be betting Castres +13 ½ at -108, a $93 return per $100 wagerd.
January 22nd European Rugby Champions Cup Betting Odds
Leinster vs Bath
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Leinster | -25 ½ -108 | -5000 |
| Bat | +25 ½ -122 | +1200 |
| Draw | +3300 |
In their last game, Leinster led Bath 45 to 20, hence the -25 ½ handicap. Expect Leinster to win with ease, taking the -6000 position with a parlay ticket.
Union Bordeaux-Begles vs Leicester Tigers
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Union Bordeaux-Begles | +300 | |
| Leicester Tigers | -400 | |
| Draw | +2000 |
This game was canceled at the time of writing due to a Union Begles Covid outbreak. They’re automatically knocked out of the tournament, giving Leicester a bye into the final sixteen. It should be removed from the betting pool shortly.
Bristol vs Scarlets
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Bristol Rugby | -6 ½ -108 | -227 |
| Scarlets | +6 ½ -122 | +180 |
| Draw | +2000 |
Bristol has only won two of their last six games, while Scarlets have won three via mostly narrow wins.
I see Scarlets upsetting Bristol Ruby at +180. They’ve been more consistent and they have less key players currently out.
Clermont vs Ulster Rugby
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Clermont | +7 ½ -108 | +240 |
| Ulster Rugby | -7 ½ -122 | -303 |
| Draw | +2000 |
This is set to be one of the more exciting games of the Cup so far. Ulster is 10-1 on their home turf, and won the first three encounters by fewer than seven points. Ulster have only lost to 2021 Cup champions Stade Toulousain.
Clermont will bring everything they have, but I see Ulster taking it to them yet again. Bet Ulster at -303 for a $33 per $100 wager return.
Atlantique Stade Rochelais vs Glasgow
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Atlantique Stade Rochelais | +½ -108 | +105 |
| Glasgow | -½ -122 | -125 |
| Draw | +1800 |
Glasgow was beaten badly by the Exeter Chiefs, 52-17 last week. They have four players out with injury, including Sebastian Cancelliere, who was key in the 2020-21 season.
Rochelais has underperformed this season, but I see an upset due to Glasgow’s recent performances and replacements. Bet Rochelais at +105 to double your money.
#ThrowbackThursday to a #HeinekenChampionsCup cracker between @glasgowwarriors and @staderochelais ⚔️
The Warriors edged it on this occasion but who will win on Saturday night? ? pic.twitter.com/Lhaz0UHP9y
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 20, 2022
Many of the key players in this highlight are out for Saturday.
January 23rd European Rugby Champions Cup Betting Odds
Ospreys vs Sale Sharks
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Ospreys | +24 ½ -108 | +900 |
| Sale Sharks | -24 ½ -122 | -2500 |
| Draw | +3300 |
Sharks won their last meet up in October by fourteen points. The game was closer than you’d think, with the Sharks possessing at 52% and 48% per half, and beating 13 defenders to the Sharks 19.
I see Sale Sharks winning narrowly, so I’ll avoid the handicap and stick with the -2500 bet, possibly to Parlay with my Lienster win.
Connacht vs Stade Francais
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Connacht | +3 ½ -110 | +162 |
| Stade Francais | -3 ½ -110 | -200 |
| Draw | +2000 |
Connact won their last game 36 to 9 in December 2021. It was an upset the first time as well, and that’s with their players intact.
Connacht is missing key players Tom Daly, Bundee Aki, Jack Aungier and several others . Despite their recent victories and win on the last meet up, I’ll side with the oddsmakers.
Stade Francais will beat Connacht with ease, and we’ll win $0.50 per dollar wagered betting on the Francais Match bet.
Northampton Saints vs Racing Metro
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| Northampton Saints | +26 ½ -108 | +1200 |
| Racing Metro (Racing 92) | -26 ½ -122 | -5000 |
| Draw | +3300 |
One of the front runners and strongest teams in the cup, the Saints have little chance against the Racing 92. It’s on Racing 92 turf, and they’ve won 11 home games straight. Ulster defeated Northampton last week in a close, fast paced game that Northampton is still recovering from both physically and mentally.
Bet the Racing Metro at -5000, and parlay with Leinster and Sale Sharks for an $8 return per $100 wager.
London Wasps vs Munster
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
| London Wasps | +11 -115 | +400 |
| Munster | -11 -115 | -600 |
| Draw | +2500 |
Munster should have an easy win over the Wasps given the presence of Andrew Conway, but we said the same thing, about De Allende. The Wasps have eight players out on injury, including Jason Jenkins and Clavin Nash.
Munster is coming off a loss to Toulouse in last year’s cup. This win over the Wasps solidifies them in the knockout stages, and the Wasps need this win to get to the top eight, while Munster could still enter the top eight depending on the performance of the other teams.
Bet Munster at -600. They have less pressure to win and will likely see the final four again this season.
Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier
| Team | Handicap Bet | Match Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter Chiefs | -4 ½ -108 | -189 |
| Montpellier | -4 ½ -122 | +160 |
| Draw | +1800 |
This is the closest game of the weekend in my eyes, with the Chiefs coming off a win over Munster, the Chiefs may win the pool regardless of their performance against Montpellier.
Montpellier is a good team, but this season hasn’t been good for them. They’ve the lowest average carry distance in the Champions Cup of any team in 2022, alongside Exeter being a shoe-in for the top eight.
It looks close to the oddsmakers, but I see no other option than a bet on the Exeter Chiefs, at -189 for $0.53 per dollar wagered.
European Rugby Champions Cup Wrap Up
For more Rugby betting picks, leave a comment below and stay up to date with our blog.
As we move forward in the Cup, you’ll see a breakdown of the final eight, and predictions on how the teams will shift and perform toward the final on May 22nd, 2022.
