We have a Bristol v Leinster prediction for you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of the opening weekend of the Champions Cup Pool Stage.
How To Watch Bristol v Leinster
When is Bristol v Leinster
5.30 pm, Sunday, December 8th
TV Channel
Premier Sports 1
Who are the officiating team?
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France), Julien Caulier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
Where is Bristol v Leinster
Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium
Bristol v Leinster Odds
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Bristol | 3/1 | 25% |
Leinster | 1/4 | 80 % |
Draw | 25/1 | 3.8 % |
Bristol are currently outsiders for this game with odds of 3/1, Leinster can be gotten at odds as big favourites at 1/4 for the win while the draw is seen as a 25/1 chance.
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14 Points Ahead Early Payout Odds
Bristol @ 11/4
Leinster @ 2/9
Handicap Betting
Bristol: +10 @ 10/11
Leinster -10 @ 10/11
Handicap Draw: +10 @ 18/1
Bet on Champions Cup odds at BoyleSports
Team News
Bristol Team News
TBC
Leinster Team News
Following the Autumn Nations Series, Leo Cullen will have the assess the reintegration of 13 players back into the squad for this fixture.
Jordie Barrett trained with his new teammates for the first time as Ryan Baird, Paddy McCarthy and Tommy O’Brien returned, but they’re without Tadhg Furlong, Jamie Osborne and Will Connors who are out injured.
Andrew Porter, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris started all four games in November so could be unlikely to feature for Leinster from the start
Bristol v Leinster Preview
Bristol Form
“The Bears” have been on a progressive trajectory for the best part of a decade, first getting promoted to the Premiership following their 2017/18 Championship victory. That was followed by a few progressive seasons when they won the 19/20 Challenge Cup and topped the Premiership table in 20/21 but were beaten in the Semi-Final. Last season they consolidated a 5th finish after some poorer 9th and 10th finishes in the previous seasons.
They’re having an even stronger 24/25 season with 5 victories and just 2 defeats from their opening 7 matches in the Premiership meaning they currently occupy second spot in the table albeit level on 29 points with league leaders Bath trailing them only on a points differential of +11. They won their last fixture last Friday Night (29th November) beating Harlequins 24-48.
Bristol are no mugs and will present Leinster with a challenge if they show any sign of being off-form on the weekend.
Leinster Form
Leinster would not have been happy with their 2023 season, with their sole success coming with a 2024 Irish Shield victory. However, after finishing 3rd on the URC table they would lose 25-20 to Bulls in the Semi-Final and the Champions Cup, and they lost to Toulouse 31-22 in the final.
Leinster have started the 2024 season impeccably though with seven victories from their opening seven United Rugby Championship fixtures and six try bonus point wins. They sit top of the URC table and four points clear of the chasing pack. They’re also the second-highest scorers with 212 points scored and have the meanest defence with only 92 points conceded.
For a team which has set themselves such high standards, they haven’t won the Champions Cup since the 17/18 season and have since lost four finals coming in 18/19 against Saracens, 21/22 and 22/23 against La Rochelle and in 23/24 against Toulouse.
Bristol v Leinster Rugby Head-To-Head
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
This will be the first-ever meeting between both teams.
Key Players
AJ McGinty – Bristol
What a career it has been from the Dubliner! The 34-year-old played Amateur Rugby in the USA from 2011-2015 before returning to Ireland to play for Connacht where he would stay a season before spending six with Sale Sharks and has been with Bristol since 2022.
Despite being Irish born he has represented the USA since 2015 with 399 points from 40 caps, he qualifies for the country through residency rules. He is top-scorer in the Premiership this season with 75 points from 7 games and it’ll be fascinating to see him face his home province.
How good was AJ last night? 🫡
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) November 30, 2024
1️⃣8️⃣ points, 6️⃣ out of 6️⃣ from the tee and running the show from fly half 🎯 pic.twitter.com/4NiMoaKkq2
Caelan Doris - Ireland
The Leinster man and recent Irish Captain (26) is likely to return to the fold for his province following the completion of the Autumn Nations Series where he was one of Ireland’s standout performers across all games and is as integral to this Leinster side.
"A lot more pleasing than the last couple of weeks."
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) November 23, 2024
Captain Caelan Doris says Ireland showed their "ruthless" side as they beat Fiji 52-17 at the Aviva Stadium. #VMNews | @VMSportIE pic.twitter.com/FQQNw7X4Fm
Bristol v Leinster Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Bristol 12-28 Leinster
Bristol are having a brilliant start to the season and will go into this match with the added intrigue of AJ MacGinty playing his home province and Kieran Marmion who is no stranger to Leinster from his time at Connacht all likely to feature.
Leinster have been imperious this season and the return to the fold of their International stars only further strengthens their options ahead of this game.
Fancy Leinster to be comfortable winners in the end, but don’t rule out the Bristol Bears initially making a very fast start.
Best Bet: Race To 10 Points Bristol Bears @ 15/8
Bet on Champions Cup odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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