2003 World Cup-winning England No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio talks up the Boks, while the boys trumpet the Investec Champions Cup and this week’s URC matchups.
Year: 2026
With 1 year to the day until the Rugby World Cup begins in Australia, I am taking stock of each of the top teams and trying to assess the lie of the land and predict the 33 man squad. On this episode, Ireland. Who will Andy Farrell take with him Down Under?
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
14:00 Pau v Leicester Tigers
AI Grote: Pau 25 – 28 Leicester Tigers
Ou Grote (Rob): Pau by 1
Ou Grote (James): Leicester Tigers by 2
Sports4Cast: Leicester Tigers 55%
Oddschecker: Pau (1.4 to 3.8)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
21:00 Bath v Montpellier
AI Grote: Bath 34 – 20 Montpellier
Ou Grote (Rob): Bath by 10
Ou Grote (James): Bath by 11
Sports4Cast: Bath 78%
Oddschecker: Bath (1.3 to 4.2)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
18:30 La Rochelle v Lions
AI Grote: La Rochelle 35 – 15 Lions
Ou Grote (Rob): La Rochelle by 5
Ou Grote (James): La Rochelle by 7
Sports4Cast: La Rochelle 85%
Oddschecker: La Rochelle (1.2 to 7.5)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
18:30 Northampton v Cardiff
AI Grote: Northampton 39 – 16 Cardiff
Ou Grote (Rob): Northampton by 17
Ou Grote (James): Northampton by 15
Sports4Cast: Northampton 87%
Oddschecker: Northampton (1 to 21)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
16:15 Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs
AI Grote: Toulouse 44 – 15 Exeter Chiefs
Ou Grote (Rob): Toulouse by 12
Ou Grote (James): Toulouse by 15
Sports4Cast: Toulouse 89%
Oddschecker: Toulouse (1 to 41)
The 2026 Nations Championship Finals take place in November. All times are South African Standard Time.
Current Standings
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
14:00 Vodacom Bulls v Stade Francais
AI Grote: Vodacom Bulls 36 – 24 Stade Francais
Ou Grote (Rob): Vodacom Bulls by 10
Ou Grote (James): Vodacom Bulls by 9
Sports4Cast: Vodacom Bulls 78%
Oddschecker: Vodacom Bulls (1 to 26)