Bookies Hedging Their Bets

An indication of how hard it’s to call the outcome of Munster’s Pool 3 is best illustrated by the latest odds emerging from Ladbrokess Bookmakers

Despite trailing Toulon by two points and having to go there next  and win, Ladbrokes still offer 7/4 about Munster's chances to reach the knock-outs. They have both Toulon and Ospreys on offer at the same odds (7/4).

However, the bookies, the people who generally get it right and have become mega rich by doing so, dont rate Munster's chances of winning the title for a third time, in the event they make it past the Pool stage for the 13th successive season.

14/1 are the odds on offer of Munster winning their third title, five places below favourites Toulouse (11/4) while Leinster – 1/100 to reach the knock-outs – are third favourites at 6/1 to win the competition outright. And given their impressive dismissal of Clermont on Saturday, expect those odds to tumble in the coming weeks.

Going on the latest odds, the quarter finalist will be Toulouse, Northampton Saints, Leinster, Biarritz Olympique, along with four from a list that includes Leicester Tigers, Perpignan, London Wasps, Ulster and one of the 7/4 trio (Munster/Toulon/Ospreys).