Sunday 15 February 2015 15:40, UK
Sky Sports will bring you the best of European rugby action from a crucial final round of pool fixtures as we broadcast six live games.
Edinburgh v Bordeaux-Begles, 7.30pm Friday January 23, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
We begin our coverage in the Scottish capital as Edinburgh and Bordeaux-Begles battle it out for top spot in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup.
Edinburgh looked to have secured a quarter-final place last weekend but a late drop goal from Fabrice Estanbanez consigned them 21-19 defeat in Lyon. Bordeaux brought their try tally in the Challenge Cup to 20 during the victory over London Welsh, twice as many as the Scottish side.
Edinburgh remain one point clear of Bordeaux at the top of the pool, but with third-placed Lyon still in the hunt for a best runner-up spot, the PRO12 side need to return to winning ways at Murrayfield.
Treviso v Ospreys, 3pm Saturday January 24, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
Ospreys are riding high in the PRO12 but they suffered a demoralising home defeat against Northampton Saints last weekend, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
The error-strewn Welsh side were punished by their Aviva Premiership counterparts and travel to Italy with little more than pride to play for.
Winless Treviso have conceded 33 tries in five games, by far the worst record in this season’s competition, and the Ospreys will fancy their chances of signing off their European campaign with a convincing victory.
Ulster v Leicester Tigers, 5.15pm Saturday January 24, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
Leicester Tigers recorded a bonus-point victory over the Scarlets in round five and they might need a similar result in Ravenhill to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages.
The Tigers will never have a better chance against an Ulster side that is reeling after a record defeat in Toulon, where injuries to Ireland duo Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding capped off a miserable afternoon.
Ulster are a proud team though, particularly at home, and they will determined to maintain their good record against Leicester in Belfast. The Irish province have won all three of their home meetings with the Tigers, and all but one of the seven games between the clubs have been won by the home side.
Scarlets v Toulon, 5.30pm Saturday January 24, live on Sky Sports 1 HD (red button)
Toulon were at their irresistible best against Ulster and the back-to-back champions will look to continue that form when they face an injury-hit Scarlets on Saturday.
The French heavyweights were the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals, but they were given a stern examination by the Scarlets in round one before running out 28-18 winners.
The Scarlets are winless in their last three home games against French teams and they need to avoid a repeat of their start against Leicester last weekend if they are to cause a major upset.
Montpellier v Toulouse, 12.30pm Sunday January 25, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
Toulouse crashed to a disastrous defeat at home to Bath last weekend, but their one saving grace is a trip to winless Montpellier in the final round.
The four-time winners were punished for a dithering defensive display against Bath, while Montpellier led away at Glasgow Warriors before falling to a fifth successive defeat.
Despite their setback, Toulouse remain on top of Pool 4 and they are favourites to get the victory they require at the Altrad Stadium.
Munster v Sale Sharks, 3pm Sunday January 25, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
For just the second time in 17 years, Munster will not feature in the knockout stages of European’s top tier competition. The Irish province were swatted aside by Saracens at Allianz Park, increasing the pressure on head coach Anthony Foley.
It was the same old story for Sale Sharks in round five as they suffered another narrow European defeat on home soil, this time against Clermont Auvergne, but in Danny Cipriani the Sharks have the most successful goal-kicker in this season’s Champions Cup with a 92 per cent success rate.
However, Munster have won their last four fixtures with Sale, and both home fixtures in that run resulted in victory margins of over 20 points. After an underwhelming campaign, can the Irish province sign off with a victory?
